Is NASCAR Set to Bring the Thrill Back to Mexico City in 2026?

Will NASCAR return to Mexico City in 2026? That’s the main question after a memorable NASCAR Cup weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

The recent race was a milestone for the sport, marking the first time the premier series held a points event outside the United States since 1958. NASCAR aimed to bring the sport to new fans, and Mexico City responded with great enthusiasm.

Advertisements appeared all over the city, and fans filled the stands to cheer on their favorite drivers. Daniel Suárez, a native of Monterrey, became the star of the weekend, especially after his win in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, which received loud support from the home crowd.

Attendance numbers tell the story of local passion. About 90 percent of the spectators at Sunday’s race were from Mexico, while 44 percent actually live in Mexico City.

These figures suggest a strong and growing base for NASCAR in the region. NASCAR teams noticed the excitement, and drivers enjoyed the warm welcome both at the circuit and when meeting fans in public spaces.

NASCAR executives have praised the atmosphere, describing the event as electrifying, especially during key moments on track in the stadium area. NASCAR’s leadership now faces a decision on the event’s future.

Ben Kennedy, a senior executive within the sport, mentioned that a final decision about coming back to Mexico City in 2026 could be made within a month or two. While there is reportedly a three-year agreement with the event organizers, OCESA, details still need to be confirmed.

The race is not guaranteed to return just yet, as the organization is still reviewing data, logistical issues, and feedback from teams and fans. Another international venue, Montreal, is also under consideration, and could complicate the final schedule.

Scheduling remains a big challenge. The current calendar placed Mexico City between races at Michigan and Pocono, which created a long, overland journey for teams and equipment.

Many team members experienced travel delays, particularly when flights were grounded. Teams are now asking for more flexible scheduling, such as adding an off-weekend before or after the Mexican event, to ease the travel burden.

There are also limited available dates at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, partly because the venue also hosts Formula E in January, Formula 1 in October, concerts, and possibly IndyCar in early 2026.

Despite some travel issues and scheduling limits, most agree the event itself went smoothly. The fans’ enthusiasm, unique podium celebrations, and energetic environment made the race weekend stand out.

NASCAR’s drive to push into international markets is clear, and Mexico is key to achieving that. With a country population exceeding 90 million—and more than 20 million in Mexico City—the potential for audience growth remains large, beyond just financial motivations.

While no official announcement has been made yet, there is optimism from fans, partners, and NASCAR leadership that the series will return to Mexico City in 2026.

The positive reception from the racing community and the crowd’s passion create strong momentum for keeping Mexico City on the NASCAR Cup calendar. For now, the decision rests on ongoing discussions, further analysis, and confirmation from the sport’s top executives in the coming months.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.