Full 2026 NASCAR Schedule Including Cup Series Race Times and Channels

The 2026 NASCAR season represents one of the most significant calendar shifts in the sport’s modern era. Highlighting the year is the return of the season finale to the shores of Southern Florida and the introduction of a high-stakes street course event on a military base. For fans planning their travel or home viewing, understanding the complex broadcast windows across six different platforms is essential.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season officially kicks off its points-paying campaign with the 68th annual Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026, and concludes with the crowning of a champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8, 2026.

Major Highlights and Calendar Shifts for the 2026 Season

The 2026 schedule is defined by a strategic redistribution of race dates to optimize weather conditions and television viewership. Several traditional dates have been moved, and long-dormant tracks have been revitalized.

The Return to Homestead-Miami for the Championship

Perhaps the most celebrated change by the racing community is the relocation of the NASCAR Championship Weekend. After a multi-year stint at Phoenix Raceway, the season finale returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8. The 1.5-mile intermediate track is widely regarded by drivers as one of the best "racer's tracks" due to its progressive banking and multi-groove racing, providing a high-intensity backdrop for the title deciding race.

San Diego Street Race at Naval Base Coronado

NASCAR continues its expansion into non-traditional markets with a landmark event in San Diego. On June 21, Father’s Day, the Cup Series will compete on a temporary street circuit at Naval Base Coronado. This event serves a dual purpose: bringing the sport to a massive Southern California market and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy.

Revitalization of Historic Venues

The 2026 season sees North Wilkesboro Speedway host a points-paying race for the first time in three decades on July 19. Additionally, Chicagoland Speedway returns to the schedule on July 5, replacing the Chicago Street Race date. These moves signal a balance between modern street course innovation and the preservation of NASCAR's oval-racing roots.

Significant Date Changes for Traditional Races

Watkins Glen International, typically a late-summer fixture, moves to Mother’s Day weekend in May. This shift aims to spread out the road course events more evenly across the calendar. Darlington Raceway also sees its first event of the year move earlier to late March, while its second date remains the prestigious Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend, serving as the playoff opener.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series Full Schedule

The Cup Series schedule consists of 36 points-paying races and two high-profile exhibition events. The following table provides the complete breakdown of dates, tracks, broadcast partners, and start times (all times in Eastern).

*Denotes Playoff Race

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series 2026 Schedule

The secondary series, formerly known as the Xfinity Series, moves to its own exclusive broadcast home on The CW. The 2026 calendar includes several standalone events at historic short tracks.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 2026 Schedule

The Truck Series remains a staple of Friday and Saturday night racing, with 25 events scheduled across FOX Sports channels. Notable additions include the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and a visit to Lime Rock Park.

How to Watch NASCAR in 2026: Broadcasting and Streaming Partners

The 2026 season marks the second year of NASCAR's groundbreaking media rights agreement. The broadcast season is split into distinct windows, requiring fans to utilize multiple platforms.

FOX Sports and FS1

The season begins with FOX Sports carrying the first 12 points races, including the Daytona 500. FOX will also provide coverage for the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and the Duels at Daytona. Most early-season Sunday afternoon races will be on FOX, while several will air on FS1.

Prime Video

Starting with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on May 24, Prime Video takes over for a five-race stint. This includes the highly anticipated San Diego street race. Prime Video’s entry into the sport brings exclusive streaming features and a dedicated broadcast team.

TNT Sports and the In-Season Challenge

Following Prime Video, TNT Sports enters the fold for five races starting at Sonoma on June 28. This window is unique because it hosts the "NASCAR In-Season Challenge." Drivers will compete in a tournament-style format for a $1 million prize, concluding at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All TNT races will also stream concurrently on the Max platform.

NBC Sports, USA Network, and Peacock

The final 14 races of the season, including the entire playoff run, are handled by the NBC Sports group. Coverage begins at Iowa Speedway on August 9. Most playoff races will be split between USA Network and the NBC broadcast channel, with the championship race at Homestead-Miami airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Key Track Analysis for 2026

To understand the 2026 season, one must look at the technical requirements of the new and returning venues.

Bowman Gray Stadium (The Clash)

Known as "The Madhouse," this 0.25-mile oval around a football field is the shortest track on the schedule. Racing here is physical, with high-contact maneuvers expected. Since it is an exhibition race, the focus is on entertainment and close-quarters competition.

Homestead-Miami Speedway (The Finale)

Homestead features 18 to 20 degrees of progressive banking in the turns. Unlike the flat-track racing seen in Phoenix, Homestead allows drivers to run inches from the wall to find speed. The tire wear at this facility is notoriously high, making pit strategy and long-run speed critical for the championship contenders.

North Wilkesboro Speedway

Returning as a points race, this 0.625-mile short track features unique uphill and downhill sections on its straightaways. With its fresh pavement (laid for the 2024 All-Star race), speeds will be high, but the abrasive nature of the track will still test a driver's ability to manage their equipment over 400 laps.

Naval Base Coronado (San Diego)

Temporary street circuits are narrow and unforgiving. The San Diego course will likely feature 90-degree corners and heavy braking zones. Given its location on a military base, the tarmac may differ from standard city asphalt, adding an element of unpredictability to grip levels.

Understanding the 2026 Playoff Format

The 2026 Cup Series Playoff structure remains a 10-race elimination format featuring 16 drivers.

1. Round of 16: Begins at Darlington (Southern 500) and concludes at Bristol.
2. Round of 12: Includes Kansas, Talladega, and the Charlotte Roval.
3. Round of 8: Features Las Vegas, Martinsville, and Phoenix Raceway. In a major change, Phoenix now hosts the opener of the Round of 8 on October 18, rather than the finale.
4. Championship 4: A single-race showdown at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The highest finisher among the four remaining title contenders is crowned the champion.

Conclusion

The 2026 NASCAR schedule is a bold blend of tradition and innovation. By returning the championship to Homestead-Miami and venturing into the streets of San Diego, NASCAR is leaning into its strengths while exploring new ways to engage fans. With a multi-partner broadcast deal involving FOX, Amazon, TNT, and NBC, the sport is more accessible than ever, provided fans know where to tune in. Whether it’s the high-speed drafting at Daytona or the tactical short-track battle at Martinsville, 2026 promises a grueling and diverse test of driving talent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the date of the 2026 Daytona 500?

The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, at 2:30 PM ET on FOX.

Why did NASCAR move the championship race to Homestead-Miami?

The move was driven by fan and driver feedback. Homestead-Miami Speedway is widely considered to offer better racing for the Next Gen car than Phoenix Raceway, particularly in terms of passing opportunities and lane variety.

How can I watch the NASCAR races on Prime Video?

You will need an active Amazon Prime subscription. The races will be available through the Prime Video app on smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers. Prime Video will carry five consecutive races starting with the Coca-Cola 600 in May.

What is the TNT In-Season Challenge?

It is a five-race tournament where drivers compete for a $1 million prize. It begins at Sonoma on June 28 and ends at Indianapolis on July 26. The format is designed to increase viewership and intensity during the summer months.

Is the All-Star Race still at North Wilkesboro in 2026?

No. In 2026, North Wilkesboro Speedway will host a regular-season points-paying race on July 19. The All-Star Race will move to Dover Motor Speedway on May 17.

Where will the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series be televised?

The entire O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly the Xfinity Series) will be televised exclusively on The CW for the 2026 season.