The official 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule has been released, marking significant adjustments to the racing lineup, venues, and broadcasting partners across the season. Fans and teams can expect a reshuffled calendar, with new race locations and a continued partnership with major television networks, as the series stretches from February to November.
Significant Adjustments to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
This year’s 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule introduces a variety of notable shifts compared to prior seasons, directly involving key organizations like NASCAR and its television networks. A major debut will take place at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego on June 21, adding a distinctive military venue to the roster. Chicagoland Speedway returns to the schedule on July 5, reconnecting drivers and fans with a familiar track. The season finale, for the first time since 2019, moves back to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8—signaling a return to a classic championship setting. Phoenix Raceway, which had concluded recent seasons, will instead kick off the semifinal round.
The campaign revs up with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, affectionately called “The Madhouse,” on February 1, setting a vibrant tone for the second consecutive year. Shortly after, the iconic DAYTONA 500 anchors Speedweeks on February 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET. FOX and FS1 will provide coverage throughout the opening half of the season, concluding their run with the All-Star Race.
Broadcast Partnerships and Network Coverage
Coverage duties for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule are shared across well-known TV and streaming platforms. Following FOX’s early-season broadcasts, Prime Video takes over on May 24, starting with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, entering its second consecutive season of NASCAR coverage. Prime Video’s slate includes five races, highlighted by the prominent event at Naval Base Coronado, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
TNT Sports assumes broadcast responsibilities starting at Sonoma Raceway on June 28, which coincides with the opening of the second In-Season Challenge. Later in the year, USA Sports and NBC take over. USA Network’s first race will be at Iowa Speedway on August 9, with NBC wrapping up the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. Other broadcasters, including Peacock, support comprehensive coverage for fans nationwide.
Return of Tracks and Changes in Race Dates
This season brings back several venues and shifts in scheduling, affecting race strategies and opportunities for drivers. The summer event at Darlington Raceway now shifts to March, offering teams an earlier challenge at the historic oval. Richmond Raceway finds a new slot in August, while Watkins Glen International moves from late summer to Mother’s Day weekend in May, providing a fresh spring atmosphere for that road course. Notably, Dover hosts the All-Star Race on May 17.
North Wilkesboro Speedway, with deep roots in NASCAR’s history, will hold a points-paying event for the first time since 1996, taking place on July 19. With the return of Homestead-Miami Speedway to the playoffs, New Hampshire Motor Speedway secures a position in the regular season, scheduled for August 23. These changes reflect ongoing efforts by NASCAR officials and insiders to balance the series calendar and excite long-time fans.
Updates for Xfinity and Truck Series
Additional updates include the rebranding of the Xfinity Series to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, aligning with new sponsorship direction for the organization. The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will break new ground by racing on a street circuit for the first time, joining the St. Petersburg Grand Prix on February 28 alongside INDYCAR events. FOX will continue as the primary home of both the Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, maintaining strong network partnerships for these developmental series.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Format Remains Unsettled
Despite the confirmation of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the format for the championship playoffs is still under deliberation. NASCAR officials have stated that the series will move away from the current one-race winner-take-all finale, though the playoff structure is expected to persist in some form. According to officials, the postseason is projected to start with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in September. However, discussions continue regarding whether to switch to a 3-3-4 round format versus the existing 3-3-3-1 structure.
Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, discussed the ongoing decision process on the Hauler Talk podcast:
“Where it stands right now… I don’t think the playoff committee is going to meet again,”
Forde said (via Jayski).
“They’re going to take all the feedback they got – from every walk of life, from no playoffs at all to keeping it the same – and really beat that all up. They’re announcements to come. Honestly, I don’t know where it is. It could be in two weeks, it could be in two months.”
— Mike Forde, NASCAR managing director of racing communications
The current debate is fueled by the dramatic end of the 2025 season, when Denny Hamlin led the majority of the championship event before late-race pit stops allowed Kyle Larson to seize his second Cup title. This outcome has energized insiders, fans, and officials, driving ongoing dialogue about the best path forward for NASCAR’s postseason and championship race format.
Anticipated Impact of Schedule Changes and What to Expect Next
The revised 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule delivers both nostalgia and fresh challenges for competitors, organizations, and followers of the sport. The inclusion of a military base event, return of storied tracks, major broadcast collaborations, and ongoing playoff discussions signal a season shaped by both tradition and innovation. With the playoff format decision pending, anticipation remains high among stakeholders and fans alike for official news on the championship race structure. As NASCAR advances into 2026, these changes are expected to drive continued debate and heightened interest throughout the campaign.
