As Speedcafe reports, IndyCar is making a stunning return to international waters with the addition of Barcelona-Catalunya to the 2027 schedule, marking the biggest year-on-year change for the championship. Scheduled for July 16-18 under a multi-year agreement, this trip across the Atlantic represents the first time the series has raced outside of North America since visiting Brazil back in 2013. If you want to dig even further back into the history books, the pre-unification era saw Champ Car make its last European appearance at Assen in the Netherlands way back in 2007.
Here is the thing: the move is heavily designed to capitalise on the immense success of five-time series champion Alex Palou. Penske Entertainment Corporation president and CEO Mark Miles called it a monumental day for the sport, noting the desire to showcase the machinery in Palou’s hometown. "We have seen Alex’s remarkable skill and talent for several years and know his fans in Spain have been clamouring to watch him race in person," Miles said.
For his part, Palou admitted it was hard to put into words what a home race actually means to him. "I’m so excited to be part of IndyCar’s first race in Barcelona," the Chip Ganassi Racing driver said, adding that his squad is going to try hard to bring home the trophy in July.
That magnificent Spanish addition arrives as the only new venue on a slightly reduced calendar, which unfortunately means we are losing a couple of notable stops. Washington, D.C. will not return after organisers confirmed that this summer’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix—originally billed as a one-off celebration for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—was strictly a once-in-a-lifetime affair. Organisers expressed pride in the impact of the event across the country, but put any suggestions of a 2027 return firmly to bed.
Nashville is also absent from the 2027 slate. The Music City Grand Prix first launched downtown in 2021 before shifting to Nashville Superspeedway in 2024 due to the construction of the Tennessee Titans’ new NFL stadium, Nissan Stadium, which is slated to open in February 2027. Music City Grand Prix promoter Scott Borchetta of Big Machine made it clear to Forbes that future plans hinge entirely on getting back to the city streets, stating that full focus and investment must go toward a downtown return.
