The NTT INDYCAR SERIES closed out its 2026 season as the most successful in nearly two decades, with record growth in television viewership, race weekend attendance, digital engagement and merchandise sales. The recap, released by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Penske Entertainment, confirms a new era of expansion for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series.
«This is an incredible new era for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, defined by growth, energy and momentum,» said Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles. «Our partnership with FOX Sports has raised the bar for our sport, and in turn we’ve invested in new events and opportunities to accelerate our already immense progress.»
Record viewership
The series reached an average audience of 1.68 million viewers on FOX across an 18-race schedule, the largest average viewership in almost two decades, dating back to 2008. Nine races drew an average audience of more than 1 million viewers. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. reached a peak audience of 3.5 million, the highest tune-in for a non-Indy 500 race since 1995.
Rising attendance
Race weekend attendance increased by approximately 20 percent, with another grandstand sellout at the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and a crowd of 215,000 across the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend. Additional highlights included record-breaking attendance at St. Petersburg and a record-tying weekend at Long Beach, plus a grandstand sellout at the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
Digital growth and merchandise
INDYCAR’s social channels topped 250 million video views in 2026, a new record, while the Indianapolis 500 delivered the most popular digital day in series history, with more than 1.5 million engagements. The INDYCAR YouTube channel saw a 58 percent increase in watch time. Merchandise sales during race weekends rose nearly 40 percent over the season.
World-class competition and the IR-28
On track, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, at just 29, became the youngest five-time champion in series history, while Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist earned his first Indy 500 victory in the closest finish in the race’s storied history. Eight different drivers won races across the season. The series also unveiled the new IR-28 car, set to debut in 2028 with a lighter, faster design.
«The IR-28 unveil was a massive milestone for the sport, and it has been incredible to get so much positive feedback from both our drivers and our fans,» said INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles. «To capitalize on our momentum, we need to be constantly innovating and look toward the future.»
Photo: NTT INDYCAR SERIES / Indianapolis Motor Speedway
