The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule will closely follow the 2025 calendar, with several notable adjustments enhancing the season‘s lineup. These changes include race date shifts and the introduction of a new street race in San Diego, highlighting the evolving nature of the Cup Series schedule.
Confirmed Dates and Early Season Adjustments
According to multiple sources familiar with NASCAR’s plans and reported initially by Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, the schedule will begin as usual with The Clash and the first five races unchanged. The iconic Daytona 500 is set to open the season on February 15, marking the 68th running of the event. However, the Darlington spring race will no longer coincide with Mother’s Day weekend and has been moved earlier to March. Similarly, Kansas’s spring race will shift forward to April, departing from its traditional May slot.
New Street Race and Road Course Count Reduced
The 2026 schedule will introduce the Cup Series’ inaugural street race on June 21, held at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. This marks a fresh urban addition to the calendar. However, the total number of road or street courses will decrease from six in 2025 to five in 2026, balancing the schedule between traditional ovals and road circuits.
Further Venue Changes and Race Moves
Watkins Glen, typically an August event, will move earlier to May alongside Dover Motor Speedway, which will host a single race date next season. Notably, Dover will hold the NASCAR All-Star Race for the first time but will not feature a Cup Series points race in 2026. The Chicago area remains involved in Fourth of July weekend festivities; however, the race will shift back to Chicagoland Speedway instead of the previously planned city street course. Chicagoland Speedway’s return marks its first Cup Series appearance since 2019, with the race scheduled for July 5.
Significant Rookie Venue and Schedule Swaps
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, known for hosting the All-Star Race since its 2023 return, will regain a regular Cup Series points race on July 19, the first since 1996. Its event will swap dates with Dover’s race. Additionally, the schedule will observe two breaks: the standard Easter weekend off in April and a new off-week after the Brickyard 400 on July 26, which leads into a rare third Cup race at Iowa Speedway on August 9.
Late Regular Season and Playoff Structure Updates
New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which hosts a playoff race this year, will return to a regular-season slot, holding the penultimate race before the season finale at Daytona, continuing a streak of seven consecutive year-end events there on August 23. The playoff arrangement includes Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol in the Round of 16. Las Vegas Motor Speedway will replace New Hampshire in the Round of 12, while Talladega Superspeedway remains in the Round of 8. Martinsville will continue as the second-to-last race of the season.
Championship Weekend and Race Location Changes
Phoenix Raceway, the host of the championship weekend since 2020, will move to the Round of 8. Homestead-Miami Speedway will host the championship race for the first time since 2019 with the finale scheduled for November 8, 2026. Mexico City, which debuted on the Cup schedule this June, will not return next year. The planned Chicago Street Course will also be absent, although NASCAR hopes to reinstate these venues in 2027.
Implications and What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule reflects a blend of tradition and innovation, preserving iconic dates like the Daytona 500 while expanding urban racing with the San Diego street course. The introduction of fresh venues and strategic date swaps aim to maintain fan engagement and competitive balance throughout the season. The reshuffling of playoff rounds and championship location signals NASCAR’s continued evolution to keep the season both exciting and unpredictable.