The angel atop the Princes’ Gates will no longer have a view of Turn 1 during Canada’s only NTT Indy Car Series race, as the event is shifting to suburban Markham, Ont.
The open-wheel racing series revealed on Wednesday that the Grand Prix of Toronto is relocating from Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto to the northeastern suburb, and the race will now take place later in the summer. Mayor Frank Scarpitti made the five-year agreement official at a press conference held in Markham Centre, which is the municipality’s business hub.
“Markham, start your engines, the Indy race is coming to our city,” stated Scarpitti. “This is a significant milestone for Markham, which officially becomes the starting line for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham in 2026, and we are excited and honored to host this prestigious world-class auto racing event around this time next year.”
The Grand Prix of Toronto ranks among the oldest events on the Indy Car calendar, with its inaugural race taking place in 1986. Exhibition Place has been home to this event since it began.
Most recently known as the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, it typically occurred in July; however, the 2026 race in Markham is set for August 14-16. The City of Markham has started building out festival grounds and a temporary track in collaboration with public transport agency Metrolinx and other local partners.
Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, mentioned that moving this event to York Region would help boost commercial development in Markham.
“When I talk about sport, people often say, ‘Well, yeah, you’re a sport guy,’ but I’m also a business guy who wants our communities to grow because of sport,” Lumsden shared during his remarks at the conference. “In 2024 alone, Indy attracted over 150,000 attendees with an economic impact exceeding $50 million.”
“That shows how sport can make a difference.”
The Ontario government announced on July 18 that it would invest $1.5 million to support the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place. Mexico’s Pato O’Ward won that race on July 20.
This year marked one of four street course races for Indy Car; plans are already underway for regular roads on the new Markham track as well.
The proposed temporary circuit will be located in eastern downtown Markham between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407. Tony Cotman from NZR Consulting leads design efforts for this 12-turn track measuring 3.52 kilometers long.
A notable aspect of this course will be dual pit lanes situated on both sides of it-a feature that’s uncommon but innovative for Indy Car races.
“Three years ago we created Detroit’s first dual pit lane track,” said Bud Denker from Penske Corporation which owns Indy Car. “Drivers wondered how it would function-many thought it might become chaotic-but fans loved it.”
“You’ll be just third globally with dual pit lanes where drivers can refuel their cars.”
The move away from Exhibition Place was prompted by next year’s World Cup when BMO Field-situated within Toronto’s fairgrounds-will host six matches during June and July. Additionally, during much of this season’s Canadian Football League schedule, The Toronto Argonauts will be playing away games.
“While FIFA World Cup was indeed a catalyst for our move forward here,” explained Jeff Atkinson president of Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham “there were several factors involved.” He added: “Exhibition Place offers fantastic facilities but they have many developments planned ahead.”
“Many cities are eager right now to become hosts for NTT Indy Car Series events. If we took even one year off from Exhibition Place here in Ontario-it could risk us never returning again.”
Some residents of Markham expressed concerns regarding this announcement.
Users commenting on Reddit noted how Exhibition Place primarily consists of empty parking lots and convention areas while suggesting that placing an event site within mixed-use zones-with homes and businesses lining up along parts like condo buildings or York University’s campus-may not sit well with some locals-including Amica Unionville retirement community nearby.
Others raised questions about how they plan addressing potential impacts towards GO Train stations located along western borders where parking may potentially intersect tracks laid out too close together while also incorporating major routes such as Kennedy Road into its design plan overall.
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