IndyCar News: Making the annual schedule difficult because races keep failing

IndyCar’s history of venues falling through—think Iowa’s doubleheader flop and Thermal’s one-and-done, among many others over the years—has left series organizers scrambling to lock in a stable calendar. The list of failed IndyCar races is too long to list here and deserves an entire article for another time.

As a result, the 2026 schedule remains frustratingly incomplete, with only seven dates confirmed despite the season opener being just six months away on March 1 at St. Petersburg.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The delay stems from ongoing negotiations for high-profile additions like a return to Mexico City, potential new races in Washington, D.C., and Phoenix, and the ripple effects of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Originally slated for a mid-August reveal, the full slate is now in limbo, forcing fans and teams to piece together rumors and half-promises.

Related Article: IndyCar: Series looking to regurgitate failed venues

Confirmed Dates: A Solid Start, But Gaps Galore

Earlier this week, the series nailed down its Canadian stop: Markham, Ontario, will host its first IndyCar race on August 16, shifting from the traditional Toronto street circuit displaced by World Cup preparations. This brings the tally to seven locked-in events, anchoring the early season while leaving the back half wide open.

Here’s what we know for sure:

These races set up a tight spring sprint, with the Indy 500 as the crown jewel 15 days after the road course opener. Reports indicate at least nine (and possibly 11) events in the first half are already penciled in, but the summer stretch—from July 19 to August 23—remains a puzzle with three to four slots up for grabs.

Mexico City: Teased, But Not Sealed – When in doubt, follow the money

The biggest holdup? A highly anticipated return to Mexico City at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, IndyCar’s first trip south of the border in nearly two decades. DHL CEO Mike Parra, a vocal proponent, expressed optimism earlier this year: “I look forward to something happening next year… that is why we’re going to Mexico.” Team owners echo the confidence, but no deal has been inked amid logistical snags, including a brief flirtation with a joint NASCAR-IndyCar weekend that fizzled.

Initially eyed for spring, the race has slid to late summer—potentially July 26, right after Laguna Seca—to dodge World Cup clashes.

Pato O’Ward, IndyCar’s Mexican star, remains skeptical: “In the last three weeks I’ve heard yes, no, yes, no… Until I see it signed, confirmed that it’s done, I will believe it.” At this point, it’s less a question of if and more of when—though whispers suggest it could get bumped to 2027 if a D.C. alternative steals the slot.

Rumors Swirl: Phoenix, D.C., and Schedule Shuffles

With Iowa Speedway’s low-attendance doubleheader on the chopping block as a partial replacement, several venues are in play to fill the void. Phoenix Raceway (where IndyCar has failed many times) tops the list, with buzz about a March 8 doubleheader alongside NASCAR on the 1-mile oval—IndyCar’s first visit since a 2018 reconfiguration. The timing aligns neatly post-St. Petersburg, easing logistics for teams.

A wildcard: a street race in Washington, D.C., pitched by Fox Sports and Penske Entertainment as part of the U.S.’s 250th birthday festivities under the Trump administration. It could slot into late July, potentially edging out Mexico City and serving as the season finale—though insiders see it as a long shot for 2026.

Laguna Seca and Portland appear safe for now, per series president Doug Boles, but their dates may shift to avoid World Cup broadcasts on Fox. The global tournament, culminating July 19, looms large, prompting Penske execs to tweak the calendar for minimal TV overlap—possibly pushing events like Road America or Mid-Ohio.

Milwaukee Mile is also nearing confirmation for August 30, rounding out a packed late-summer push.