Portland will once again roar to life with the return of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2026, as the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland takes the green flag on Sunday, August 9. The event marks the 32nd INDYCAR weekend at Portland International Raceway and serves as a pivotal stop during the championship’s high-stakes summer run.
The announcement comes as INDYCAR revealed a 17-race slate for 2026, blending fan favorites, bold new venues, and marquee showcases that highlight the intensity of North America’s premier open-wheel series. Portland continues its role as a championship-shaping battleground as drivers fight for points in the final stretch before the season-ending finale at Laguna Seca.
Known for its fast straights, technical corners, and reputation as one of the most competitive natural terrain road courses on the schedule, Portland International Raceway has long been a fan favorite. The August weekend delivers not only memorable on-track drama but also an electric festival atmosphere that celebrates the Pacific Northwest’s passion for racing.
Portland joins a packed late-summer lineup that includes the all-new Streets of Markham in Ontario (Aug. 16) and a high-pressure doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 29–30). This cluster of races is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the 2026 championship battle.
For the second straight year, every INDYCAR race will be broadcast live on FOX, including Portland’s race. The network’s partnership helped drive a 27 percent ratings boom in 2025, bringing INDYCAR its fastest fan growth in more than a decade. With Portland positioned late in the schedule, the Pacific Northwest audience will once again be in the spotlight during a critical phase of the championship chase.
“Portland has always delivered electric racing and deeply passionate fans,” said INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles. “It’s the perfect stage for the final charge of the championship, and we’re excited to showcase it on network television once again.”
Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles emphasized the momentum behind the series at large: “Our 2026 schedule blends history, innovation, and fan-favorite stops like Portland, giving our drivers the toughest and most complete championship in motorsports.”
As INDYCAR heads into its decisive final weeks next year, Portland International Raceway will once again be a proving ground where the season’s top contenders must deliver. With its blend of technical challenges and unpredictable outcomes, the 2026 Grand Prix of Portland could play a defining role in who lifts the Astor Challenge Cup at the September finale in Monterey.
