Event Information

WHAT:
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., will take place Aug. 22-23, 2026, marking the first‑ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race around the National Mall. The event will be administered by INDYCAR in coordination with the taskforce, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of the Interior and Washington, D.C.’s Executive Office of the Mayor. The free, two-day motorsports event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with world‑class racing set against the backdrop of some of America’s most historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The unique street race will be broadcast live on FOX on Sunday, August 23.

WHEN:
Saturday-Sunday, August 22-23, 2026

WHERE:
Streets of Washington, D.C.

TRACK LENGTH AND DETAILS:
1.7 miles / 7 Turns (147 laps)

Designed with fan accessibility, breathtaking views and safety at its core, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit will feature the cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing on a sweeping .4-mile frontstretch along Pennsylvania Avenue, framed by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The pit lane area of the track will be adjacent to Pennsylvania Avenue, between Turns 1 and 2 on the circuit design. The INDYCAR field will also race by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives on the challenging and picturesque course layout.

RACE HISTORY:
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. was formally established by an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump on Jan. 30, 2026, directing the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of the Interior to designate a race route through the National Mall and surrounding city streets for an NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on Aug. 22-23, 2026. Created to mark the United States Semiquincentennial and honor more than a century of INDYCAR racing, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will become the first auto race ever held on the streets of the nation’s capital.

ON-TRACK COMPETITION:
In addition to the high-powered cars and the world-class stars that compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES – including series champions Scott Dixon, Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Alex Palou along with Indy 500 winners Alexander Rossi, Marcus Ericsson and 2026 champ Felix Rosenqvist – IROC Presented by Chevrolet will also be part of the historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend.

The IROC Presented by Chevrolet lineup in D.C. will feature a star-studded collection of motorsports legends, including champions and some of the biggest stars in NASCAR and INDYCAR history. Former NASCAR Cup Series champions Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott will race on the 1.7-mile Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit around the National Mall, alongside INDYCAR greats and Indianapolis 500 champions Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti. The drivers will compete in authentic IROC Pontiac Firebirds that raced in series competition from 1996 through 2006.

2026 INDYCAR BROADCAST COVERAGE:
Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. – Sunday, August 23, 2026 – 1:00 pm (NTT INDYCAR SERIES)
Live National television coverage: FOX
National Radio Broadcast: INDYCAR Radio Network/SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation Channel 218

2026 IROC BROADCAST COVERAGE:
IROC Race 1 – Saturday, August 22, 2026 – 3:00 pm
Television coverage: TBA

IROC Race 2 – Saturday, August 22 – 4:00 pm
Television coverage: TBA

GLOBAL BROADCAST INFORMATION:
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be available to viewers in more than 200 countries and territories as the series expands its global reach across an 18‑race season. A broad network of international broadcast and media partners will carry INDYCAR’s drivers and marquee events worldwide, supported by INDYCAR LIVE, the series’ direct‑to‑consumer streaming platform offering uninterrupted coverage of every race, practice and qualifying session, along with in‑car cameras and original digital content.

2026 FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX OF WASHINGTON, D.C TICKETS:
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., scheduled for Aug. 22-23, 2026, will offer free general admission, providing open public access to the first‑ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race around the National Mall. General admission tickets for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix provide access to either the STARS Ticket Area or the STRIPES Ticket Area; however, each area requires its own ticket and admission to one does not include access to the other. The ticket request window closed June 7, and applicants have been notified by email regarding the status of their requests. Digital tickets for fulfilled requests have been delivered through Ticketmaster accounts.

PARTNER SUPPORT:
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. is supported by a group of key partners, led by INDYCAR’s promotional alliance with Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), which will serve as the event’s Official Marketing, Sponsorships and Corporate Hospitality Sales Partner, leveraging its integrated sports, media and venue platform to connect INDYCAR with fans, partners and the local community. MSE owns the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA) and Washington Mystics (WNBA) and the company hosts hundreds of high-profile events across the region each year.

Harbinger, a leading Washington‑based live events production company, is also an official event partner of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. With an extensive roster of clients that includes Fortune 500 companies, the federal government, major tourism bureaus and more, Harbinger will coordinate logistics and the fan experience for the three-day celebration of America’s Independence.

For a complete list of event partners, visit the official Freedom 250 Grand Prix website at www.Freedom250GP.com.

TRANSPORTATION:
There is no designated parking area for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. With limited parking options available around the race venue, guests are encouraged to use Metrorail, Metrobus, rideshare, bikeshare or just walk to the event, as increased traffic is expected throughout race weekend. Public transit and pedestrian access offer the most efficient ways to access the race circuit. For more information on Metrorail and Metrobus stops near the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, visit Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Visit the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/Freedom250GP
Follow the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on X at  http://www.x.com/freedom250gp
Follow the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on Instagram at  http://www.instagram.com/Freedom250GP
Subscribe to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on YouTube at  http://www.youtube.com/@Freedom250GP