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Barcelona reportedly agrees IndyCar deal for European race

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Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has reportedly agreed to stage an IndyCar race expected in the second half of 2027. It would be a European return for the IRL, although rival CART raced there before folding into the series.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · 20 Oct 2026, 11:12 · 1 min

Barcelona could host IndyCar’s first European race in the IRL era. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has reportedly agreed a deal to stage an event, RacingNews365 reports, citing Motorsport.com. The Indy Racing League has not raced in Europe since it began in 1996; rival CART did compete there before folding into the IRL to form today’s IndyCar.

Barcelona’s F1 place is also changing. Madrid has taken the formal Spanish Grand Prix title, while Barcelona is set to enter a rotation on the F1 calendar alongside the Belgian Grand Prix. The Spanish race is due in even-numbered years from 2028 through 2032.

Alex Palou provides a local connection: the five-time IndyCar champion was born in Barcelona province in Catalonia. His first oval victory came in the 2025 Indianapolis 500; only A.J. Foyt, with seven championships, and Scott Dixon, with six, have more titles.

The reported race is expected in the second half of IndyCar’s 2027 calendar, which had been published only through the June 27 round at Road America.

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