The 2026 motorsport season is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most exciting yet. Across continents and disciplines — from the pinnacle of open-wheel racing to endurance marathons and two-wheeled glory — there’s action for every racing fan. Here’s a detailed look at the calendar ahead.
Formula 1: The Global Championship Kicks Off
The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship consists of 24 races, kicking off in early March and running through early December. This campaign features classic circuits, sprint races, and the most diverse calendar yet — with a new Madrid Grand Prix joining the lineup.
Key 2026 F1 Dates
-
March 6-8: Australian Grand Prix — Melbourne
-
March 13-15: Chinese Grand Prix — Shanghai
-
March 27-29: Japanese Grand Prix — Suzuka
-
April 10-12: Bahrain Grand Prix — Sakhir
-
April 17-19: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — Jeddah
-
May 1-3: Miami Grand Prix — Miami
-
May 22-24: Canadian Grand Prix — Montreal
-
June 5-7: Monaco Grand Prix — Monaco
-
June 12-14: Spanish Grand Prix — Barcelona-Catalunya
-
October 9-11: Singapore Grand Prix — Singapore
-
November 19-21: Las Vegas Grand Prix — Las Vegas
-
December 4-6: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Yas Marina
…and many more worldwide.
The season features a mix of sprint and traditional race weekends and runs across five continents, closing out with a December finale in Abu Dhabi.
MotoGP: The Premier Motorcycle Racing Series
The 2026 MotoGP World Championship also promises a full schedule of thrilling races, beginning in March and stretching into late November. Titles are on the line in iconic venues for fans of motorcycle racing.
Highlights from the MotoGP Calendar
-
March 1: Thailand GP — Buriram
-
March 22: Brazil GP — Goiania
-
March 29: Americas GP — Austin
-
April 12: Qatar GP — Lusail
-
May 10: French GP — Le Mans
-
June 7: Hungarian GP — Balaton
-
August 9: British GP — Silverstone
-
October 4: Japan GP — Motegi
-
November 15: Portugal GP — Portimao
-
November 22: Valencia GP — Cheste
This 22-round season spans classic European tracks, North and South America, and Asia.
IndyCar and the Iconic Indy 500
The 110th Indianapolis 500 — one of the world’s most cherished motorsport races — is scheduled for May 24, 2026 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will serve as a marquee event in the NTT IndyCar Series, which is expected to feature a 17-race calendar in 2026 with ovals, road courses, and street circuits.
Also notable: a rare doubleheader weekend at Phoenix Raceway in March will showcase both IndyCar and NASCAR action over the same race weekend — a treat for fans of diverse racing formats.
Endurance Racing: WEC and 24-Hour Classics
For fans of marathon racing, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) returns with its core calendar of endurance events — including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Key WEC Events
-
March 28: Qatar 1812km — Lusail
-
April 19: 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
-
June 10-14: 24 Hours of Le Mans — France
-
July 10-12: 6 Hours of São Paulo — Brazil
-
September 4-6: Lone Star Le Mans — USA
-
November 5-7: 8 Hours of Bahrain — Bahrain
This global endurance tour tests cars and drivers over distances that separate champions from the merely competent.
Beyond WEC, the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge kicks off early in January and runs through October across iconic North American circuits including Daytona, Sebring, and Road America.
Other Notable Series and Events
NASCAR
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series adopts a traditional 10-race Chase playoff format, culminating at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November. This marks a nod to NASCAR’s heritage with playoff emphasis on consistency and performance over the season.
Drift and Alternative Motorsports
Drift events are gaining traction too, with the Red Bull Drift Masters calendar featuring stops across Europe and a highlight weekend in Ireland this June.
New Series on the Horizon
2026 will also see the debut of a Harley-Davidson racing series alongside select MotoGP rounds, adding a fresh flavor to global motorcycle competition.
What This Means for Fans
From the roar of F1’s grand prix engines to the nonstop strategy of endurance racing, and the spectacle of two-wheel racing in MotoGP, 2026 offers:
-
A 24-race F1 season with global reach 🏎️
-
MotoGP across Asia, Europe & the Americas 🏍️
-
Classic spectacles like the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans ⛽
-
Top-tier stock car drama in NASCAR 🎯
-
Growth in grassroots and drift motorsport culture 🔄
Whether you love speed on four wheels or two, ovals or road courses, this year’s calendar is stacked with unforgettable events.