The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season begins Sunday on familiar asphalt in St. Petersburg, Florida, but will the race have a familiar winner?
Alex Palou took the checkered flag to open the 2025 season and never looked back, winning eight of 17 races and placing outside the top five only three times. As a new year begins, the Spaniard remains the man everyone is chasing.
The top challengers will try to set the tone from the outset Sunday. Kyle Kirkwood’s three wins last year were the second-most behind Palou, and the Floridian will look to start the 2026 season on top.
Pato O’Ward finished second in the points standings with 10 top-five finishes, and the 26-year-old from Mexico is hoping for more this season.
It all starts Sunday in Florida. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the season-opening race.
What channel is IndyCar on today?
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: Fubo
The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be broadcast by Fox, with Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell on the call. Fans can stream the race live on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg start?
- Date: Sunday, March 1
- Time: 12:29 p.m. ET
The IndyCar season opener is officially set to begin at noon ET on Sunday, with the green flag expected to drop at 12:29 p.m.
The race will take place on a 1.8-mile street course in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
IndyCar Series schedule 2026
| Date | Race | Site | Time (ET) | TV/Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 1 | Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | Streets of St. Petersburg | 12 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Mar. 7 | Good Ranchers 250 | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Mar. 15 | Grand Prix of Arlington | Streets of Arlington | 12:30 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Mar. 29 | Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix | Barber Motorsports Park | 1 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Apr. 19 | Grand Prix of Long Beach | Streets of Long Beach | 5:30 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| May 9 | Sonsio Grand Prix | IMS Road Course | 4:30 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| May 24 | Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | 10 a.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| May 31 | Detroit Grand Prix | Streets of Detroit | 12:30 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| June 7 | Bommarito Automotive Group 500 | World Wide Technology Raceway | 9 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| June 21 | Grand Prix at Road America | Road America | 2 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| July 5 | Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | 12:30 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| July 19 | Music City Grand Prix | Nashville Superspeedway | TBD | Fox, Fubo |
| Aug. 9 | Grand Prix of Portland | Portland International Raceway | 4 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Aug. 16 | Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham | Streets of Markham | 12 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Aug. 23 | Freedom 250 Grand Prix of D.C. | Streets of Washington, D.C. | TBD | Fox, Fubo |
| Aug. 29 | Snap-On Fixers and Makers 250 | Milwaukee Mile | 2:30 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Aug. 30 | Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250 | Milwaukee Mile | 1 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| Sept. 6 | Grand Prix of Monterrey | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | 2:30 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
