The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series will launch with the familiar Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, this Sunday, March 1. This upcoming season features 18 races—a number not seen since 2014—following recent developments involving the White House and key stakeholders in the series.
Several notable changes mark this schedule compared to 2025. Among them, three new tracks have been introduced, one historic venue returns after a hiatus, and one track will regain a second race date after losing one of its doubleheader events post-2024. These adjustments led to the removal of three previously featured circuits to accommodate the expanded calendar.
Three Venues Removed from the 2026 Race Lineup
The Thermal Club, which made its points race debut in 2025 after hosting an exhibition in 2024, will no longer appear on the 2026 schedule. Its spot as the season’s second race, held on Saturday, March 7, will be taken by Phoenix Raceway, marking the series’ return to that venue since 2018.
Iowa Speedway, which had been reinstated in 2022 as a doubleheader round after missing the 2021 schedule, is losing both of its races in 2026. This development comes after four consecutive years with two events each and was anticipated due to declining attendance figures, the loss of its signature Hy-Vee race weekend sponsorship, and a shift in track priorities toward NASCAR following its debut as a Cup Series venue in 2024.
To partly offset the removal of Iowa Speedway’s races, the Milwaukee Mile—which returned to the IndyCar calendar in 2024 for the first time since 2015—is set to reinstate a doubleheader weekend. While Milwaukee hosted a doubleheader in 2024, it lost one race in 2025 but will feature two events again on Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, in 2026.
New and Returning Race Sites Highlight 2026 Season
One of the most anticipated additions is the introduction of a street race in Arlington, Texas. Scheduled for Sunday, March 15, this event will close an unusual season-opening tripleheader on a temporary circuit weaving around Globe Life Field—the home stadium of MLB’s Texas Rangers—and AT&T Stadium, the NFL venue for the Dallas Cowboys.
Canada’s race will shift locations, moving from the familiar Toronto street circuit at Exhibition Place to the streets of Markham on Sunday, August 16. Despite ongoing speculation about further international expansion, this event remains the only race outside the United States for the series. Exhibition Place has been part of the IndyCar schedule almost continuously since 1986, except for breaks in 2008 and during 2020–2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
A late-season highlight is the newly added street race in Washington, D.C., set for Sunday, August 23. This race is the product of an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump and collaboration between IndyCar, Penske Entertainment, and Monumental Sports & Entertainment. This addition will contribute to an intense closing stretch of five consecutive race weekends and six races in just 29 days spanning August and September.
Summary of Key Venue Changes Between 2025 and 2026
Removed Tracks:
- Thermal Club (2025 winner: Alex Palou)
- Iowa Speedway (2025 winners: Pato O’Ward in race 1 and Alex Palou in race 2)
Added or Returning Tracks:
- Phoenix Raceway – Saturday, March 7
- Arlington, Texas – Sunday, March 15
- Milwaukee Mile (Doubleheader) – Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30
- Markham, Canada – Sunday, August 16
- Washington, D.C. – Sunday, August 23
Broadcast and Viewing Information for the 2026 Season
All 18 races on the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series calendar will be broadcast live on Fox. Fans can catch the action beginning with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this Sunday, March 1, at 12:00 p.m. ET. This marks another opportunity to witness the evolving landscape of American open-wheel racing as it launches into its most extensive schedule in over a decade.
The changes in venues reflect both the sport’s growth ambitions and adjustments driven by logistical, fan engagement, and strategic priorities. The addition of street circuits in Arlington and Washington, D.C., signals an ongoing effort to bring IndyCar closer to urban fans while balancing a mix of traditional oval and road course races. Meanwhile, shifting Canadian events and strengthening mid-season doubleheaders ensures a dynamic and varied racing experience in 2026.
“Because of the addition of this race, there are set to be races on five consecutive weekends to wrap up the season, with a total of six races scheduled to take place across a stretch of just 29 days in August and September.” – White House representative
“All 18 NTT IndyCar Series races are set to be shown live on Fox in 2026.” – IndyCar official
