IndyCar reports record 2026 metrics across broadcast, digital, and live events
The 2026 IndyCar Series season delivered a historic, record-breaking campaign that established a bold new era of growth for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series. Driven by substantial viewership gains, soaring event attendance, record digital engagement, and elite competition, the series vaulted into a position of heightened prominence across the global sports landscape. “This ...…
The 2026 IndyCar Series season marked a historic era of unprecedented growth for North America's premier open-wheel racing series. Driven by substantial viewership gains, soaring attendance, record digital engagement, and elite competition, the series achieved a new level of prominence on the global sports landscape. Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles remarked, "This is an incredible new era for the NTT IndyCar Series, defined by growth, energy and momentum."
Key metrics for the 2026 season included a massive surge in broadcast viewership, with the series averaging 1.68 million viewers on FOX across the 18-race schedule. Notable milestones included nine races achieving over 1 million viewers, and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., reaching a peak audience of 3.5 million viewers.
Overall race weekend attendance increased by approximately 20 percent, with significant crowd numbers at the Indianapolis 500, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, and the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
IndyCar's digital and social channels set all-time high engagement metrics, with the 2026 Indianapolis 500 generating over 1.5 million engagements - the most popular digital day in series history. Digital and social channels combined for more than 250 million video views, while the IndyCar App recorded its highest-ever average race day user numbers and a 20 percent surge in screen views compared to 2025.
These digital achievements were bolstered in May when NTT, Inc. and NTT Data Group Corporation reaffirmed their title sponsorship.
The series also witnessed record merchandise sales, growing by nearly 40 percent year-over-year. The new digital docuseries "All In: IndyCar" expanded shoulder programming to attract a younger audience, generating over 6 million total YouTube views, averaging nearly 500,000 views per episode.
Looking ahead, the IndyCar Series unveiled the IR-28, a new car set to debut at the start of the 2028 season. The IR-28 promises to be lighter, faster, and engineered to break track records, with improved raceability and a modern design to engage a new generation of racing fans. This unveiling, coupled with multi-year engine manufacturer agreements with Chevy and Honda, highlights the series' commitment to future innovation.
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