For more than a decade, IndyCar fans have heard the same old story: international expansion is just around the corner. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil—every year, rumors swirl, and every year, nothing seems to materialize. The anticipation, the speculation, and ultimately the letdown have become almost a running gag among those who follow the NTT IndyCar Series. But in 2026, that narrative finally takes a sharp turn, as the series introduces its first new international race since 2010, and the overall schedule swells to 18 events for the first time in over a decade.
The 2026 IndyCar calendar is a testament to both resilience and change. After an offseason that saw four races dropped, the addition of the new Washington, D.C. street race and the debut of Markham, Ontario, Canada, have revived the series’ international ambitions. The Markham Centre event, scheduled for Sunday, August 16, stands out as a milestone: it’s the first fresh non-U.S. venue since the streets of São Paulo, Brazil, welcomed the series in 2010. That’s a long wait for a league that once prided itself on global reach.
The Markham race replaces the long-running Toronto event, which has been a staple since 1986 (with the exception of 2008, and the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021). Toronto’s Exhibition Place has delivered classic moments, but Markham promises a new chapter for Canadian open-wheel fans. It’s a significant move, especially considering that, since 2013, Canada has been the only international stop for IndyCar. The last time the series ventured outside the U.S. and Canada was in Brazil, with the 2013 São Paulo street race—an event remembered for its electrifying finish. Plans for a 2015 return to Brazil, at Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet, were dashed by a change in local government, leaving fans hungry for fresh destinations.
This Canadian shift comes as the series faces ongoing questions about its global strategy. The “Pato Who?” saga at the Milwaukee Mile in August 2024, sparked by comments from CEO Mark Miles, highlighted both the potential and the frustration surrounding international expansion. Despite Pato O’Ward’s star power and the passionate Mexican fan base, attempts to bring IndyCar to Mexico have fallen flat. Even as NASCAR returned to the famed Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in June 2025 for its first Cup Series race there since 2008, IndyCar’s efforts have yielded little more than rumors and dashed hopes.
Yet the 2026 schedule offers plenty to cheer about. Not only does it feature 18 races for the first time since 2014, but it also boasts a balanced mix: six road courses, six street circuits, and six ovals. The season kicks off on March 1 in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, and wraps up September 6 at the scenic Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Along the way, fans will get to witness the iconic Indianapolis 500 on May 24, where Alex Palou took the checkered flag in 2025, and the much-anticipated Washington, D.C. street race on August 23—a first for the nation’s capital.
With 25 full-time drivers on the grid, the 2026 field is as deep and competitive as ever. Familiar names like Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Pato O’Ward, and Marcus Ericsson return, joined by promising talents such as Caio Collet, Kyffin Simpson, and Mick Schumacher. The teams—A.J. Foyt Racing, Andretti Global, Arrow McLaren, Chip Ganassi Racing, and others—bring a blend of experience and fresh faces, ensuring fierce battles at every stop.
Comparisons between IndyCar and Formula 1 are inevitable, especially with both series pushing technological and sporting boundaries. The 2026 F1 calendar features a record 24 races across five continents, starting in Australia and ending in Abu Dhabi. While F1’s global reach remains unmatched, IndyCar’s North American focus gives it a unique flavor—especially with the addition of Markham and D.C. to the mix. Notably, F1 will race in Canada on the same day as the Indy 500, a rare scheduling twist that’s sure to spark conversation among motorsport enthusiasts.
The technical differences between the two series are stark. IndyCar machines, powered by 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 engines with hybrid assistance, deliver over 800 horsepower. F1’s 2026 cars will feature a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid with a roughly equal split between combustion and electric power, pushing output to around 1,000 horsepower. IndyCar’s push-to-pass system, offering a 60-horsepower boost for overtaking, remains a fan favorite, while F1 is moving away from DRS in favor of a new overtake mode and adjustable wings.
On the financial front, the gap is just as wide. Top IndyCar drivers like Pato O’Ward can command salaries up to $5 million, while F1’s elite—Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris—earn astronomical sums, with Verstappen reportedly making $75 million a year. Most IndyCar drivers supplement their incomes with sponsorship deals and performance bonuses, reflecting the series’ different business model.
Both series are making strides in sustainability. IndyCar uses 100% renewable fuel derived from ethanol, sugarcane waste, and other bio-feedstocks. F1, meanwhile, is switching to a new sustainable fuel made from carbon capture, municipal waste, and non-food biomass. These green initiatives highlight motorsport’s evolving priorities in a changing world.
The Markham race isn’t just a logistical shift; it’s a symbol of IndyCar’s determination to stay relevant and innovative. With the D.C. event, the series demonstrates its ability to break new ground domestically while still eyeing international horizons. Fans may still joke about the series’ “almost” races in far-flung locales, but the 2026 calendar proves that progress, however incremental, is possible.
Will Markham become the new crown jewel of IndyCar’s international forays? Only time will tell. For now, the 2026 season looks set to deliver a blend of tradition and novelty, with the world watching to see if this long-awaited expansion finally signals a new era for North American open-wheel racing.
As the green flag approaches, anticipation is running high—not just for the racing, but for what these new venues represent. IndyCar’s journey beyond its borders may have been slow, but with Markham on the horizon and D.C. ready to roar, the series is poised for one of its most intriguing seasons yet.