NASCAR’s 2026 Cup Series schedule shakes up the calendar with a street race at a military base, the return of Chicagoland, a new All-Star host, and a rotating championship venue at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
NASCAR’s 38-race Cup schedule for 2026 features 36 points races and two non-points races. The season opens with the Clash exhibition on February 1, 2026, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 15, and wraps up with the championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8, 2026. Homestead returns as the championship host for the first time since 2019, replacing Phoenix Raceway, which will be used in the playoffs. NASCAR has signaled a rotating championship venue on an annual basis going forward.
Major changes include a temporary street circuit at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego and the return of Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, after a six-year absence. To accommodate these new venues, NASCAR will not return to Mexico City or the Chicago Street Course in 2026. The series did stage an international Cup points race in Mexico City in June—its first since the 1950s—but scheduling and logistics prevented a follow-up visit next year. NASCAR has expressed a goal to return to both Mexico City and Chicago in 2027.
Other notable changes:
– Watkins Glen shifts from August to Mother’s Day weekend in May.
– New Hampshire Motor Speedway moves out of the playoff slate to make room for Homestead.
– A second off-week is added in early August, extending the break after a run of 28 straight races to end the season.
– Iowa Speedway remains on the schedule for a third consecutive year, with a date on August 9.
NASCAR plans to release the 2026 Cup Series schedule this week, and the final version includes several notable network and streaming details:
– Fox/FS1 will broadcast the Clash (Bowman Gray Stadium) and the early-season races through March.
– Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte) and Nashville will stream on Amazon Prime Video.
– The majority of the summer and fall races shift to NBC/USA Network, including key playoff weekends.
– The All-Star Race will be held at Dover International Speedway on May 17 (televised on Fox/FS1).
– The Coca-Cola 600, Nashville, and several other races will feature streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
– The regular-season finale at Daytona (Aug. 29) and the playoffs will culminate at Homestead, with NBC/USA carrying the later rounds.
Schedule highlights (selected dates and venues):
– February 1: Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Fox/FS1)
– February 15: Daytona 500 (Fox/FS1)
– February 22: EchoPark (Atlanta) (Fox/FS1)
– March 1: Circuit of the Americas (Austin) (Fox/FS1)
– March 8: Phoenix (Fox/FS1)
– March 15: Las Vegas (Fox/FS1)
– March 22: Darlington (Fox/FS1)
– March 29: Martinsville (Fox/FS1)
– April 5: Off weekend (Easter)
– April 12: Bristol (Fox/FS1)
– April 19: Kansas (Fox/FS1)
– April 26: Talladega (Fox/FS1)
– May 3: Texas (Fox/FS1)
– May 10: Watkins Glen (Fox/FS1)
– May 17: All-Star Race (Dover) (Fox/FS1)
– May 24: Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte) (Amazon Prime Video)
– May 31: Nashville (Amazon Prime Video)
– June 7: Michigan (Amazon Prime Video)
– June 14: Pocono (Amazon Prime Video)
– June 21: San Diego (Amazon Prime Video) — street circuit at Naval Base Coronado
– June 28: Sonoma (TNT)
– July 5: Off weekend
– July 12: EchoPark (Atlanta) (TNT)
– July 19: North Wilkesboro (TNT)
– July 26: Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis) (TNT)
– August 2: Off weekend
– August 9: Iowa (NBC/USA)
– August 15: Richmond (NBC/USA)
– August 23: New Hampshire (NBC/USA)
– August 29: Daytona (regular-season finale) (NBC/USA)
– September 6: Darlington (playoff opener) (NBC/USA)
– September 13: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway (NBC/USA)
– September 19: Bristol (Round 1 elimination) (NBC/USA)
– September 27: Kansas (NBC/USA)
– October 4: Las Vegas (NBC/USA)
– October 11: Charlotte Roval (Round 2 elimination) (NBC/USA)
– October 18: Phoenix (NBC/USA)
– October 25: Talladega (NBC/USA)
– November 1: Martinsville (Round 3 elimination) (NBC/USA)
– November 8: Homestead (championship race) (NBC/USA)
(Photo shows Christopher Bell celebrating his May All-Star Race win at North Wilkesboro Speedway.)
Commentary and context:
– The 2026 schedule marks a bold push by NASCAR to mix traditional venues with new experiences, including a high-profile street circuit on a U.S. military base. San Diego’s Coronado base street course will test teams’ adaptability to tight city layouts and new logistics.
– Chicagoland’s return provides a fall race at a long-standing, fan-favorite track, expanding options for post-summer racing and potentially boosting regional attendance.
– The shift of the All-Star Race to Dover gives fans a new marquee event with a storied track hosting the midseason showcase. The championship finally settling at Homestead-Miami Speedway signals a commitment to a multi-year rotation for the title finale.
– The schedule reflects a balance of traditional ovals and new formats, with a mix of network and streaming distribution, including Amazon Prime Video for multiple events, and a return to NBC/USA for the playoffs.
– NASCAR aims to rebuild some international ties with Mexico City and Chicago targeted for 2027, signaling a longer-term plan for global engagement alongside domestic expansion.
Overall, the 2026 lineup emphasizes experimentation and renewal while preserving core, historically significant venues. The addition of a coronado street circuit and Chicagoland’s return, combined with a rotated championship site and a new All-Star host, positions NASCAR to refresh its calendar for the next era of Cup Series racing. A positive takeaway is the increased variety and broader access through streaming options, potentially broadening the fan base while keeping traditional market fans engaged.