IndyCar to Barcelona in 2027: deal with Circuit de Catalunya

IndyCar is set to arrive in Spain: according to Motorsport.com and Autosport, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has reached an agreement to host a round of the championship from 2027. El Periódico reported it first, and sources close to the matter then confirmed it. IndyCar declined to comment, and the official announcement is expected in the coming days.

What is known about the deal

• Date: the race would take place in July 2027, with no race weekend set yet. The IndyCar calendar is only published through early June.
• Length: a multi-year agreement starting in 2027; the number of years is not confirmed.
• Sporting weight: the round would count fully towards the drivers' and manufacturers' championships.
• Signing: talks began in June 2026 and were led by the Catalan government, the Generalitat. Fira Circuit, which oversees the venue with it, is expected to sign the contract.

Why Barcelona, and why now

Formula 1 will not race at Barcelona in 2027 under its Grand Prix rotation system. It returns in 2028, 2030 and 2032. The Catalan authorities wanted a major event to fill the gap. Álex Palou, a five-time IndyCar champion, reportedly played a key role in attracting the series.

The circuit hopes for a crowd comparable to the WEC's 6 Hours of Barcelona, which drew more than 55,500 spectators last weekend.

A first for Spain, a rarity in Europe

It would be IndyCar's first race in Spain. It would also be the championship's only European round and its first on the continent since 2007, when the Champ Car series raced at Assen. The last IndyCar race outside North America was São Paulo in 2013.

Recently, Colombia, Brazil and Spain were among the destinations discussed for a race outside North America. For Catalonia, the aim is also to stage a major replacement for Formula 1, at the same Montmeló circuit, and the contract is due to be signed soon. Still to come: the official confirmation, the exact race weekend and the precise length of the contract.