The angel perched atop the Princes’ Gates will no longer gaze over Turn 1 of Canada’s only NTT Indy Car Series event, as the race is shifting to suburban Markham, Ont.
The open-wheel racing series revealed on Wednesday that it’s relocating the Grand Prix of Toronto from Exhibition Place in downtown to the northeastern suburb, with the race now scheduled for later in the summer. Mayor Frank Scarpitti confirmed a five-year agreement at a news conference held in Markham Centre, which serves as the city’s business hub.
“Markham, start your engines, the Indy race is coming to our city,” said Scarpitti. “This marks a significant milestone for Markham, which officially becomes the starting line for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham in 2026. We are excited and honored to host this esteemed world-class auto racing event around this time next year.”
The Grand Prix of Toronto is among the longest-running races on the Indy Car calendar, first taking place in 1986. Since its inaugural event, Exhibition Place has been home to this competition.
<p Previously known as the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, it typically occurred in July; however, the 2026 race in Markham will take place from August 14-16. The City of Markham has begun building the festival area and temporary track in collaboration with public transit agency Metrolinx and other local partners.
Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, mentioned that bringing this event to York Region will help boost commercial development in Markham.
“When I talk about sport, typically people say, ‘Well, yeah, you’re a sport guy,’ but I’m also a business guy who wants to see our communities thrive because of sport,” Lumsden stated during the same conference. “In 2024 alone, Indy attracted over 150,000 attendees with an economic impact exceeding $50 million.
“That creates change through sport.”
The Ontario government announced on July 18 that it would contribute $1.5 million towards supporting the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place. Mexico’s Pato O’Ward took home victory on July 20.
This year’s Toronto race was one of four street circuit events on the Indy Car schedule; plans are underway for another street course track in Markham.
The proposed temporary layout will be constructed within downtown Markham’s eastern sector between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407. Tony Cotman from NZR Consulting is spearheading design efforts for this new track featuring 12 turns across a length of 3.52 kilometers.
A standout aspect of the new course will be dual pit lanes located on both sides-a rare feature for Indy Car events.
“Three years ago we designed Detroit’s first dual pit lane track,” said Bud Denker president of Penske Corporation which owns Indy Car. “Initially drivers questioned how it could work and thought it might become chaotic; however fans love it.”
“You’ll be witnessing only the third track globally equipped with dual pit lanes where drivers can refuel their cars.”
The move away from Exhibition Place was driven by next year’s World Cup when BMO Field-located centrally within Toronto’s fairgrounds-will serve as host for six matches during June and July. Additionally, many Canadian Football League games will have Toronto Argonauts traveling throughout their regular season.
“Ultimately FIFA World Cup played a role but wasn’t solely responsible for our relocation,” explained Jeff Atkinson president of Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. “Exhibition Place remains an excellent venue; however extensive future developments are planned there.”
“Many cities are eager right now wanting to host an NTT Indy Car Series event-if we paused at Exhibition Place even just one year this gathering might never return again-we wanted stability rather than revolving one-year contracts like before.”
Not all residents welcomed news about hosting duties moving to Markham.
User comments posted on Reddit highlighted that Exhibition Place generally comprises vacant parking areas while suggested sites around proposed tracks encompass mixed-use zones featuring both residential buildings alongside businesses including several condominiums along with York University’s campus located nearby Amica Unionville retirement community.
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