Overview
- IndyCar announced Phase One on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, confirming eight races that run from March 7 (St. Petersburg) through June 6 (Detroit).
- The season will open with three straight race weekends in March — St. Petersburg, Phoenix and Arlington — repeating the accelerated early stretch used in 2026.
- Every announced event, including the 111th Indianapolis 500 on May 30 and the Sonsio Grand Prix road race on May 15, will air live on FOX with qualifying and Carb Day coverage also carried by the network.
- Two open tests are scheduled to help teams and rookies prepare: the Unser IndyCar Open Test at Phoenix on Feb. 23–24 and the Indy 500 Open Test at IMS on May 4–5.
- IndyCar cited a 16% year‑over‑year TV viewership increase to justify the phased release, and officials say Phase Two with summer dates, the season finale and start times will be published in the coming weeks.