All 18 Races Are on FOX This Season
Big news for IndyCar fans: every single race of the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season will air on FOX. No more bouncing between networks or hunting for obscure cable channels. Just tune in to FOX on race day and you're set.
This is the second full season of IndyCar's broadcast deal with FOX Sports, and it's already paying off. The 2025 season saw a 27% viewership increase, the fastest growth curve of any major sport and the most-watched IndyCar season in 17 years.
FOX Sports also acquired a one-third stake in IndyCar parent company Penske Entertainment in July 2025, extending the TV contract through 2030.
2026 IndyCar Season Schedule
The 18-race season kicks off March 1 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. For the first time in the sport's history, there are four races in March alone. Here's the full schedule:
Date | Race | Location | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
March 1 | Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg, FL | 12:00 PM |
March 7 | Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway | Avondale, AZ | 3:00 PM |
March 15 | Java House Grand Prix of Arlington (NEW) | Arlington, TX | 12:30 PM |
March 29 | Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber | Birmingham, AL | 1:00 PM |
April 19 | Grand Prix of Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | 5:30 PM |
May 9 | Grand Prix of Indianapolis (IMS Road Course) | Indianapolis, IN | 4:30 PM |
May 24 | 110th Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis, IN | 10:00 AM |
May 31 | Detroit Grand Prix | Detroit, MI | TBD |
June 7 | Bommarito 500 at WWT Raceway | Madison, IL | TBD |
June 21 | XPEL Grand Prix at Road America | Elkhart Lake, WI | 2:00 PM |
July 5 | Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio | Lexington, OH | 12:30 PM |
July 19 | Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway | Nashville, TN | TBD (Night Race) |
Aug. 9 | Grand Prix of Portland | Portland, OR | TBD |
Aug. 16 | Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham (NEW) | Markham, ON | 12:00 PM |
Aug. 23 | Freedom 250 on the National Mall (NEW) | Washington, D.C. | TBD |
Aug. 29 | Milwaukee Mile Race 1 | West Allis, WI | 2:30 PM |
Aug. 30 | Milwaukee Mile Race 2 | West Allis, WI | 1:00 PM |
Sept. 6 | Grand Prix of Monterey at Laguna Seca (Season Finale) | Monterey, CA | 2:30 PM |
All races air on FOX. Indy 500 qualifying airs May 16 and May 17 on FOX. Practice and qualifying sessions air on FS1 and FS2. Schedule subject to change — check indycar.com for updates.
A few highlights worth flagging. The inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington runs through the streets around AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, bringing IndyCar to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the first time. IndyCar also returns to Phoenix Raceway after an eight-year absence, sharing a weekend with NASCAR for a "Desert Double."
The Freedom 250 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. is historic, the last formal race held on the Mall is believed to have been a horse race in 1801. And the Nashville Superspeedway race will follow FOX's broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Final on July 19, potentially delivering one of the largest TV audiences in IndyCar history.
And of course, the main event: the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24 with a six-hour broadcast window starting at 10 AM. Mark your calendar now.
How to Watch IndyCar on TV
Network: FOX (all 18 races)
Pre-Race Coverage: FOX Sports typically airs pre-race shows 30–60 minutes before green flag. For major events like the Indy 500, coverage starts hours early.
What You Need: If you have basic cable or an antenna that picks up FOX, you're good to go. No premium sports packages required. IndyCar is the only premier North American motorsports series with every race on free-to-air network television.
Practice & Qualifying: Air on FS1 and FS2 throughout the season.
For cord-cutters, FOX is available through several live TV streaming services — more on that below.
Streaming Options for IndyCar 2026
Don't have cable? There are more ways to watch IndyCar than ever. Here's how to stream every race.
FOX One (Best Value for IndyCar)
FOX One is FOX's direct-to-consumer streaming service, launched in August 2025. It includes FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes, and local FOX stations — everything you need for every IndyCar race, qualifying session, and practice.
$19.99/month or $199.99/year
7-day free trial for new users
Available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung, LG, Vizio, Xbox, and more
Also available as an add-on through Amazon Prime Video Channels
This is the cheapest and most direct way to stream the full IndyCar season without cable.
FOX Sports App
If you already have a cable subscription that includes FOX, you can stream races through the FOX Sports app at no extra cost. Just log in with your TV provider credentials.
Live TV Streaming Services
These services include FOX in their channel lineups:
YouTube TV — $82.99/month (100+ channels including FOX, FS1, FS2)
Hulu + Live TV — $89.99/month (95+ channels, includes Disney+ and ESPN Select)
Fubo — $89.99/month (185+ channels, strong sports coverage)
Prices as of February 2026. Check each service for current rates and availability in your area.
Note: Sling TV does not carry local FOX stations, so it is not a reliable option for watching IndyCar races.
ESPN + FOX One Bundle
If you want both FOX and ESPN content, the ESPN Unlimited + FOX One bundle is available for $39.99/month — a solid deal for sports fans who want comprehensive coverage.
Best Bars to Watch IndyCar in Indianapolis
Watching at home is fine, but catching a race with fellow fans at a bar hits different. Here are some of the best spots in Indianapolis for race day.
Foyt Wine Vault
Where: 313 S. Delaware St., Indianapolis
Named after four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt, this downtown wine bar and restaurant is a natural gathering spot for racing fans. The walls are covered in racing memorabilia, and the vibe during race weekends is electric.
Union 50
Where: 620 N. East St., Indianapolis
A local favorite for watching any sporting event. Union 50 has plenty of TVs, solid food, and a good beer selection. Expect a crowd during big races.
Slippery Noodle Inn
Where: 372 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis
Indiana's oldest bar doubles as one of the best places to catch a game or race. Blues music, cold beer, and good company make it a Hoosier institution.
Kilroy's Downtown
Where: 201 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis
If you want big screens and a lively atmosphere, Kilroy's delivers. Perfect for the Indy 500 or any major race day.
St. Elmo Steak House
Where: 127 S. Illinois St., Indianapolis
For a more upscale race day experience, St. Elmo's bar area is a great spot to catch the race while enjoying their famous shrimp cocktail. Make a reservation for race weekends — it fills up fast.
Key Storylines for 2026
Alex Palou Goes for Four Straight
Four-time series champion and defending Indy 500 winner Alex Palou enters the season chasing history with Chip Ganassi Racing. A fifth championship — and fourth consecutive — would cement him as one of the greatest drivers in IndyCar history. He won three of the last four Indy 500s and shows no signs of slowing down.
Will Power's Fresh Start at Andretti Global
Two-time champion and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power made the biggest move of the offseason, leaving Team Penske after 16 full-time seasons to join Andretti Global. The 44-year-old Australian, who holds the all-time record for poles (71) and ranks fourth on the career wins list with 45 victories, will drive the No. 26 Honda alongside Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson. Former Penske strategist Ron Ruzewski also followed Power to Andretti as team principal.
David Malukas Steps Into the Penske 12
David Malukas inherits Will Power's seat at Team Penske, driving the No. 12 entry on a multi-year deal. It's a massive opportunity for the young driver alongside Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden.
The Freedom 250: Racing on the National Mall
IndyCar will race on the streets of Washington, D.C. on August 23 as part of America's 250th birthday celebration. The Freedom 250 is one of the most ambitious new events in the sport's history and puts IndyCar on a national stage beyond its traditional markets.
FIFA World Cup Meets IndyCar
FOX's coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will lead directly into several IndyCar races this summer, including the World Cup Final on July 19 flowing into the Nashville night race. This crossover could introduce millions of soccer fans to IndyCar for the first time.
New Venues, New Energy
The Grand Prix of Arlington debuts in March, and the Streets of Markham brings IndyCar back to Canada for the first time since Exhibition Place in Toronto. Combined with the Freedom 250, three brand-new venues join the calendar this season.
Honda and Chevrolet Lock In for the Long Haul
Both manufacturers signed multi-year extensions in February 2026, keeping them committed through the switch to new 2.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6 engines in 2028 and beyond. That stability is great news for teams and fans alike.
Get Ready for Green
The 2026 IndyCar season promises to be one of the most exciting in years. With all races on FOX, a loaded field of drivers, the World Cup crossover, and the Indy 500 on the horizon, there's never been a better time to get into open-wheel racing.
Grab a seat, tune in to FOX, and enjoy the ride.
Looking for more Indiana sports coverage? Subscribe to the Get Indiana newsletter for weekly updates on racing, Pacers basketball, and everything happening across the Hoosier State.
Join the community and stay IN the know.