North America's premier open-wheel racing series is finally breaking out of its continent. IndyCar has announced a massive international event at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, scheduled for Sunday, July 18, 2027. That is right, a proper European return for a championship that has not raced outside North America since James Hinchcliffe took victory on the streets of São Paulo, Brazil back in 2013. And the series has not visited the European continent since 2007, when they raced at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.
Even better, this sets up an unforgettable homecoming for none other than five-time series champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing (yes, that Alex Palou). Born right in Barcelona, the 29-year-old Spaniard is bringing his incredible machine back to his home turf. Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles called it a monumental day, noting that fans in Spain have been clamoring to watch the star race in person at one of the world's most recognizable venues.
Palou enters this historic announcement on the back of an utterly dominant run. The Spaniard captured his fifth NTT IndyCar Series championship in 2026, locking in four consecutive titles to join Sebastien Bourdais (2004-07) as the only drivers in series history to pull off that specific feat. With five championships in six years alongside 25 career victories, Palou sits tied for 17th on the all-time wins list, trailing only A.J. Foyt and Scott Dixon for total titles.
"It is an amazing opportunity, and it means so much to me to have a race at home in Barcelona, it's hard to put into words," Palou said. "We're going to try hard with the team at Chip Ganassi Racing to bring home the trophy in July."
Located in Montmeló just outside the city, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been an absolute staple of global motorsport since opening in 1991. The technical road course with its demanding layout and high-speed corners is already world-famous for hosting Formula One and MotoGP, making it a natural fit for IndyCar's unique brand of wheel-to-wheel racing. Pau Relat, Chairman of the Board of Fira de Barcelona and Fira Circuit, emphasized that bringing such a prestigious championship to the venue strengthens its international positioning and diversifies its calendar.
This marquee event forms the centerpiece of Phase Two of the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series schedule. The full slate of races for that year's championship will be announced shortly, while tune-in times will follow at a later date.
