IndyCar ratings see massive increase for 2026 season
IndyCar experienced a significant surge in television viewership during the 2026 season following an exclusive broadcast deal with Fox Sports. The series saw a 23% increase in average viewers per race, bolstered by high-profile events and increased investment from the network.
Why it matters
The growth demonstrates the impact of strategic media partnerships and broadcast consolidation on the commercial viability of niche sports leagues.
IndyCar is celebrating its most successful season on television in almost 20 years.
The series made a bold move to sign an exclusive deal with Fox Sports, putting every race on broadcast network television beginning in the 2025 season. That relationship deepened when Fox bought a 33% stake in the series.
And so far, the results are working out for both sides.
After seeing good numbers in the 2025 season, IndyCar ratings exploded even further in 2026, boosted by a couple of marquee events.
Over the campaign, IndyCar races on Fox averaged 1.68 million viewers per race, according to the network. That average is up an impressive 23% versus 1.36 million viewers last season. It's also up 57% compared to the 2024 season, which was the last before the Fox Sports deal.
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