NASCAR: First look at NASCAR’s 2026 Cup Series schedule, from Daytona to Homestead

By Jordan Bianchi

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The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule features a new race at a military base, a return to a track once thought lost to time, a new All-Star Race host and a new site for the championship finale, according to a copy obtained by The Athletic and confirmed via multiple sources briefed on the league’s plans.

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The 38-race season (36 points races and two non-points races) opens with the Clash exhibition on Feb. 1, 2026, followed by the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15 and concluding with the championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 8, 2026. Homestead returns as the host track for the championship for the first time since 2019, replacing Phoenix Raceway, which is now slotted elsewhere in the 10-race playoffs. NASCAR announced the switch this spring, beginning a rotation of its championship race to different tracks on an expected yearly basis.

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In addition to Homestead returning as the championship venue, the other three big changes to the 2026 schedule are a temporary street circuit constructed at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, the return of Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., after a six-year absence.

To make room for San Diego and Chicagoland, NASCAR won’t return to Mexico City or the Chicago Street Course, a temporary circuit built in downtown Chicago that’s held Cup races for the past three years. In June, Mexico City hosted the first international Cup points race since the 1950s, but logistics and finding a spot on the calendar that fit for both the city and NASCAR prevented an encore visit next year.

NASCAR hopes to return to both Mexico City and Chicago in 2027.

Other notable changes to the 2026 schedule include:

• Watkins Glen is shifting from its traditional August date to Mother’s Day weekend in May;
• New Hampshire Motor Speedway has moved out of the playoffs to make room for Homestead and will now host the second-to-last regular season race;
• A second off weekend will come in early August, which will certainly be well-received within the industry after just a single off weekend this year and 28 straight races to end the season.

Although some reports had Iowa Speedway at risk of being dropped, the short track is again on the schedule for a third consecutive year, slated for Aug. 9. There was never any consideration that Iowa would not have a date, according to sources briefed on NASCAR’s thinking. Iowa has sold out each of the last two years and has strong sponsorship in place.

NASCAR intends to release the 2026 Cup Series schedule this week. The full schedule below is the final version, according to those sources briefed on the league’s plans.

NASCAR 2026 Cup Series schedule

Jordan Bianchi is a motorsports reporter for The Athletic. He is a veteran sports reporter, having covered the NBA, NFL, Major League Baseball, college basketball, college football, NASCAR, IndyCar and sports business for several outlets. Follow Jordan on Twitter @jordan_bianchi