FOX Sports and IndyCar Announce 2026 Broadcast Schedule
Overview
FOX Sports and the IndyCar Series have finalized and announced the broadcast schedule for the 2026 season, featuring a total of 17 races. The calendar kicks off on March 1, 2026, at St. Petersburg with a live broadcast beginning at noon ET, and culminates on September 6 at Laguna Seca, where coverage starts at 2:30 PM ET.
Significant Broadcast Details
The schedule strategically aligns several IndyCar races with key FIFA World Cup 2026 events:
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June 21: The opening match of the World Cup will transition directly into IndyCar’s annual visit to Road America, with the XPEL Grand Prix set for a 2 PM ET start.
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July 5: Following a 12:30 PM ET broadcast at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the Round of 16 match of the FIFA World Cup will air, connecting major sports audiences.
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Date to be confirmed: The kickoff for the 400-mile Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway will follow the FIFA World Cup Final, which signifies a robust promotional opportunity for IndyCar viewership.
Driver Reception
The updated broadcast schedule has garnered positive feedback from drivers, particularly Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global. “Having the 2026 IndyCar schedule share the stage with FOX’s coverage of the World Cup next summer is going to be exciting,” said Kirkwood. He expressed high expectations for the upcoming season after a breakthrough year in 2025, highlighting FOX’s inaugural IndyCar season’s effectiveness in showcasing racing.
Conclusion
As preparations commence for the 2026 season, anticipation builds around the collaboration between the IndyCar Series and FOX Sports, promising significant crossover exposure with global soccer audiences. Further details regarding specific race day broadcast times will be released as the season approaches.
