IndyCar announces 2026 Grand Prix of Arlington, partners with Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers

Starting in 2026, the NTT IndyCar Series will be racing in the streets of Arlington. Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fans should take note. The race, which will take place on a 2.73-mile course, is going to include AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field in its configuration.

Big-time street races are the new hot thing in American motorsports. F1 on the streets of Las Vegas. NASCAR on the streets of Chicago. Well, IndyCar is going big with Arlington, Texas.

The renderings of the course look astounding. If this gets enough hype and production value put into it, it is the kind of race that can change the outlook for this sport.

While racing the streets of Detroit is fine and all, this feels like a bold new idea that IndyCar needs to make itself relevant again. The Grand Prix of Arlington is set to debut in 2026.

Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal shared some photos and information on the race on his X/Twitter account.

.@IndyCar today is announcing a new race near Dallas that will start in 2026 and involve the @DallasCowboys’ AT&T Stadium and Texas @Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

🔲 The Grand Prix of Arlington will take place in March of 2026 with a 2.73-mile street circuit around the venues. pic.twitter.com/CTYZuG8VY8

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) October 7, 2024

IndyCar is at a crucial point in its history. It is clear that viewership is not anywhere near where they would like it to be. Despite having great talent throughout the field, veterans, international stars, and future and former F1 drivers – fans aren’t buying in.

IndyCar going big with Arlington race

New, fresh ideas are going to help IndyCar. But, I think that they need to take a serious look at giving back the longtime fans as well. It is a balance that NASCAR has tried to play over the last few years. For every Chicago Street Race there is a North Wilkesboro. Or for Mexico City, there is the Clash at Bowman Gray. That give and take is what will make this work.

IndyCar is also introducing a new charter system. That is active right now and will act in many ways like the NASCAR system. Hopefully, stability in the sport and with the teams helps build brand awareness as well.

Let’s not forget that IndyCar is moving from NBC to FOX. No more CNBC races with 100,000 viewers. Those days are behind us. The NTT IndyCar Series will have every race of the 2025 season on big FOX. That’s a huge deal.

Will the Grand Prix of Arlington be a good thing for IndyCar? What are your expectations? Should they just race on the oval at Texas Motor Speedway?