The IndyCar Series has finally announced its schedule for the 2026 season after months of speculation. While some of the new additions were already known, it is notable that the championship will begin with four races in March—with three consecutive weekends—including the return to Phoenix for the first time since 2018 as the second round.
Unlike the 2025 calendar, Iowa Speedway and Thermal Club will not be part of next year’s IndyCar events. Mexico will also be absent, as previously announced, and a street race in Washington D.C., which had been part of earlier speculation, will not take place either.
The 2026 season will open on Sunday, March 1, with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, marking the fifth consecutive year IndyCar begins its season on the sun-drenched streets of St. Pete, Florida. The series then heads to Phoenix Raceway on March 7 for its first race on the track’s reconfigured “dogleg” layout, coinciding with a joint NASCAR-IndyCar weekend.
The inaugural IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington follows on March 15, introducing a brand-new 14-turn, 2.73-mile street circuit and marking the first collaborative event between IndyCar, the Dallas Cowboys, and REV Entertainment. The month concludes at Barber Motorsports Park on March 29, returning to the picturesque natural-terrain road course for round four of the championship.
Patricio O’ward, Arrow McLaren
Photo by: Penske Entertainment
After a spring break, the series resumes on April 19 at the iconic Streets of Long Beach for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, entering its 42nd edition. May will feature the traditional Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including a road course race on May 9, qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 16-17, and the historic “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 24.
Summer racing heats up with the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on May 31, followed by prime-time oval racing at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 7. The series then heads to Road America on June 21 and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 5, continuing the mix of street, oval, and road course challenges that test both driver skill and team adaptability.
The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway will move to July 19, following FOX’s broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final. The race will take place under the lights on the 1.33-mile concrete oval.
August will feature four consecutive events, including Portland International Raceway on August 9, the new Streets of Markham in Ontario on August 16, and a doubleheader at the historic Milwaukee Mile on August 29-30.
The season will culminate with the Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 6.
Patricio O’ward, Arrow McLaren, Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Colton Herta, Andretti Global, Callum Ilott, Prema Racing
Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
For the second consecutive season, all 17 races will be broadcast on FOX, with additional coverage of Indianapolis 500 qualifying.
“Our growth is industry-leading and will only accelerate faster as we continue our powerful partnership with FOX Sports and increase investment in our events,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series schedule provides a dynamic showcase for our sport and its stars, blending fan-favorite race weekends with incredible showcases at exciting new venues. We cannot wait for 2026.”
IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles added: “We’re going to kickstart the season in fitting fashion, with four races in five weeks. Our joint weekend in partnership with NASCAR and FOX at Phoenix Raceway will be a can’t-miss for motorsport fans across the country and a truly special celebration of fast, fearless racing across the motorsport landscape.”
Start times for the 2026 events, as well as the INDY NXT by Firestone schedule, will be announced in the coming days.
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