It’s Official: Homestead-Miami to Host 2026 NASCAR Championship as Part of New Championship Weekend Model

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 27: A general view of racing. during the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

NASCAR will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway for its 2026 Championship Weekend. It will be the first track to host the Championship under NASCAR’s new rotational hosting model, which will see a new track host the all-important race each season.

  • NASCAR confirmed this long-time rumor early this morning via a post on X. Homestead-Miami Speedway, a 1.5-mile high-banked traditional oval, is replacing Phoenix Raceway, which took over duties from the South Florida track in 2020. Phoenix will be a part of the Round of Eight in 2025.
  • As part of this change, the championship will now rotate tracks year to year. NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell has spoken often on this format, and some rumors suggest that Las Vegas Motor Speedway is among the future favorites to host.
  • The Athletic initially reported this change back to Miami and the switch to a rotational format on Apr. 21. NASCAR’s post today, inspired by Back to the Future, saw former Cup Series champions Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch “travel through time” to see if the track will return as the championship host in 2025.
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted the NASCAR Championship Weekend from 2002 to 2019. During that period, the track played host to monumental moments like the first Playoff, then known as the Chase, the championship, and Jimmie Johnson’s record-tying seventh championship.

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