The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season begins Sunday on familiar asphalt in St. Petersburg, Florida, but will the race have a familiar winner?

Alex Palou took the checkered flag to open the 2025 season and never looked back, winning eight of 17 races and placing outside the top five only three times. As a new year begins, the Spaniard remains the man everyone is chasing. 

The top challengers will try to set the tone from the outset Sunday. Kyle Kirkwood’s three wins last year were the second-most behind Palou, and the Floridian will look to start the 2026 season on top. 

Pato O’Ward finished second in the points standings with 10 top-five finishes, and the 26-year-old from Mexico is hoping for more this season. 

It all starts Sunday in Florida. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the season-opening race. 

What channel is IndyCar on today?TV channel: FoxLive stream: Fubo

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be broadcast by Fox, with Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell on the call. Fans can stream the race live on Fubo.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

What time does the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg start? Date: Sunday, March 1Time: 12:29 p.m. ET

The IndyCar season opener is officially set to begin at noon ET on Sunday, with the green flag expected to drop at 12:29 p.m. 

The race will take place on a 1.8-mile street course in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. 

IndyCar Series schedule 2026DateRaceSiteTime (ET)TV/WinnerMar. 1Grand Prix of St. PetersburgStreets of St. Petersburg12 p.m.Fox, FuboMar. 7Good Ranchers 250Phoenix Raceway3 p.m.Fox, FuboMar. 15Grand Prix of ArlingtonStreets of Arlington12:30 p.m.Fox, FuboMar. 29Children’s of Alabama Grand PrixBarber Motorsports Park1 p.m.Fox, FuboApr. 19Grand Prix of Long BeachStreets of Long Beach5:30 p.m.Fox, FuboMay 9Sonsio Grand PrixIMS Road Course4:30 p.m.Fox, FuboMay 24Indianapolis 500Indianapolis Motor Speedway10 a.m.Fox, FuboMay 31Detroit Grand PrixStreets of Detroit12:30 p.m.Fox, FuboJune 7Bommarito Automotive Group 500World Wide Technology Raceway9 p.m.Fox, FuboJune 21Grand Prix at Road AmericaRoad America2 p.m.Fox, FuboJuly 5Indy 200 at Mid-OhioMid-Ohio Sports Car Course12:30 p.m.Fox, FuboJuly 19Music City Grand PrixNashville SuperspeedwayTBDFox, FuboAug. 9Grand Prix of PortlandPortland International Raceway4 p.m.Fox, FuboAug. 16Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at MarkhamStreets of Markham12 p.m.Fox, FuboAug. 23Freedom 250 Grand Prix of D.C.Streets of Washington, D.C.TBDFox, FuboAug. 29Snap-On Fixers and Makers 250Milwaukee Mile2:30 p.m.Fox, FuboAug. 30Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250Milwaukee Mile1 p.m.Fox, FuboSept. 6Grand Prix of MonterreyWeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca2:30 p.m.Fox, Fubo