Written by Jason S. Sullivan

Grand Prix of Arlington: March 2026

On October 7th, officials announced a new event coming to Arlington. The inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington will turn a section of streets in our Entertainment District into an IndyCar race track. The event is scheduled for March 2026, with a full weekend of racing and entertainment. It isn’t clear yet whether this will be a one-time event or an annual additional to the circuit, although future races likely hinge upon the success of the first one.

Grand Prix of Arlington

Grand Prix of Arlington – logo

The Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Penske Entertainment have partnered to produce and market the event; the City of Arlington is also involved. NTT IndyCar is the circuit organizer. The nationally televised race is projected to generate a $45 million economic impact on the city, although attendance is estimated to be less than that of a typical Dallas Cowboys game. The Entertainment District will likely host events before and after the race, including events at the stadiums, as well as Texas Live! and other venues in the area.

Grand Prix of Arlington – track layout
Photo Credit: GPArlington.com

The headline of an article on IndyCar.com stated, “Fast, Flowing Arlington Circuit Unveiled to Rave Reviews.” The track is expected to be 2.73 miles in length with 14 turns. Nearly a mile of track will be a speedy straightway before it dissolves into a 90-degree right turn. There is also a horseshoe-shaped section surrounded by tight turns. Two areas of the track will go underneath elevated areas for hospitality and suites. This would be a challenging course at normal speeds in an average car. The course will go past AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, two of Arlington’s largest and most well-known landmarks. The Grand Prix of Arlington will be loud, fast, adrenaline-filled, and quite exciting to watch.

IndyCars are agile, powerful, and highly sophisticated machines built for speeds over 200 MPH while generating nearly 750 horsepower. The drivers are athletes, as the sport requires intense physical and mental strength. Indeed, the cars and the courses undoubtedly test the limits of man and machine.

YouTube – NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Track layout and teaser video

As with many high-profile events, community reactions were mixed. Social media comments ranged from excited to exasperated. Many people, myself included, thought that the race sounded pretty cool and looked forward to attending. Some criticized the city for frivolous spending, while others bemoaned the construction, road closures, traffic, large crowds, loud noise, and other snarls that will disrupt everyday life. Some pointed out that our crummy streets can barely handle passenger cars, let alone race cars roaring at incredibly fast and furious speeds.

Others joked that we already have a race track on I-30 and that the city is merely turning into a giant playground. “We don’t have room,” cried one woman, who likely didn’t realize the race would be on existing streets instead of a new stadium or speedway to be constructed. (Nonetheless, she isn’t wrong.) Parking and public transportation, or lack thereof, were also common gripes, and rightfully so. Many race enthusiasts pointed to the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023, a similar street race that had its fair share of criticism and complaints, especially from area residents and business owners.

All valid concerns, most especially the street conditions. Streets will need repairs and modifications before they’re race-worthy; they’ll likely need additional work after the race as well. That means road closures and detours—not necessarily a bad thing or even an uncommon thing around here, although it adds to the construction headaches and general frustrations.

Despite the obstacles and opposition, it’s an exciting event for Arlington, something that few cities get to experience. Although the event is nearly 18 months away, planning and preparations are already underway. The event was said to be years in the making.

Grand Prix of Arlington – rendering of the track
Photo Credit: City of Arlington

The year 2026 is turning into a big one for our city, with Arlington scheduled to host nine FIFA World Cup soccer games as well, including one of the semifinal matches of the tournament. It also marks the 65th anniversary of Six Flags. The National Medal of Honor Museum, scheduled to open a year before the race, will be another large draw for tourists. New apartments, hotels, and businesses are sprouting up; the cityscape is filled with construction cranes and the dust of progress. Hopefully, the buzzy activity and high-profile events will enhance, not overshadow, the 150th anniversary of the town’s founding, which is also in 2026 and should be celebrated. Arlington was founded in 1876 as a tiny settlement along the railroad tracks at a time when horsepower referred to the simple power of horses, not the output of great motors and machines. It’s surprising, and maybe even shocking, to see how far the town (and life in general) has evolved in a relatively short time.

Expect the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington to be a high-profile and high-octane event for the American Dream City. Perhaps they’ll allow Arlington residents to take a lap on the course in our own cars. Not likely, but it’d be fun.

More info –

Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 10-14-24

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