Third place finisher Scott Dixon (9) of New Zealand, left, trails second place finisher Kyle Kirkwood (27) of the United States and winner Colton Herta (26) of the United States during the 2024 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy, in Toronto on Sunday, July 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn Mc Adorey
Indy Car is heading to Markham, Ont.
The open-wheel racing series revealed on Wednesday that it’s shifting the Grand Prix of Toronto from Exhibition Place in downtown to this northeastern suburb and will take place later in the summer. Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, expressed his excitement about this multiyear agreement that will keep the race – now named the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham – within the province.
“The Indy is one of North America’s premier motorsport events and has been a cornerstone of Ontario’s events calendar for nearly forty years,” said Lumsden in a statement. “Sport tourism is a major economic driver for our province, and I am thrilled that this iconic event will continue to call Ontario home; thank you to the City of Markham for opening your doors to help start this new chapter.
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“This event will continue to drive tourism, boost our economy, and strengthen Ontario’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class sporting events.”
The Grand Prix of Toronto is one of the longest-running races on the Indy Car schedule, with its first race taking place in 1986. Exhibition Place has hosted this event since it began.
A new temporary track will be constructed in eastern Markham’s downtown area between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407. Track designer Tony Cotman from NZR Consulting leads the design process for this temporary circuit featuring a 12-turn layout measuring 3.52 kilometers with a double-sided pit lane and exciting straightaways alongside technically challenging sectors.
The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy was usually held in July; however, the race in Markham will occur from August 14-16 in 2026.
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Markham has started early preparations for both the track and festival site with assistance from Metrolinx and other local partners.
“We are excited to welcome the exhilarating experience of Indy Car Series racing hitting our streets in 2026,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We are proud to welcome this world-class event to our community.
“Markham is ready to build on its strong sports legacy and offer a new home where this celebrated summer tradition can thrive. I am extremely proud of our team at the City of Markham for bringing this initiative across the finish line in just a matter of months.”
This event is expected to attract over 140,000 attendees throughout the three-day weekend while generating tens of millions in economic activity via sport tourism, hospitality services and event management. Scarpitti mentioned at a news conference announcing this move that it would become York Region’s largest sporting occasion.
This report by The Canadian Press was first Sept. 3, 2025.
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