Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction has kicked off for the festival site and temporary street circuit in Markham, as the city gets ready to host Canada’s only NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, starting in 2026. The event, which used to take place at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto, will relocate to Markham Centre, the city’s vibrant downtown area, from Aug. 14-16.
Markham, located next to Toronto’s northeastern border in York Region, is home to over 1.25 million residents and is rapidly growing. The downtown area features many Canadian corporate headquarters, the York University Markham Campus, and the Markham Pan Am Centre, a key venue during the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
“We are excited to welcome the exhilarating experience of INDYCAR SERIES racing hitting our streets in 2026,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “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.”
The temporary track, designed by Tony Cotman of NZR Consulting, will run through the eastern section of downtown Markham between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407. The circuit will have 12 turns over a length of 3.52 kilometers (2.19 miles) and include dual pit lanes along with long straightaways and technically challenging sections. Early work on both the track and festival site is being coordinated with Metrolinx and other local partners.
The shift from Exhibition Place was partly influenced by plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will utilize BMO Field near Toronto’s fairgrounds as well as scheduling for the Toronto Argonauts. Jeff Atkinson noted that future development plans at Exhibition Place also played a role in this decision.
“Sport tourism is a major economic driver for our province, and I am thrilled that this iconic event will continue to call Ontario home,” said Ontario’s Minister of Sport, Neil Lumsden. “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 NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s top open-wheel racing competition featuring drivers reaching speeds over 370 kph (230 mph). In addition to the famous Indianapolis 500, this series includes various oval races alongside temporary street circuits and permanent road course events throughout North America. Penske Entertainment Corp., which owns INDYCAR, praised Markham as an exciting new venue.
“We could not be more pleased to see the rich history of NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing continue in Ontario,” said Mark Miles, president and CEO of Penske Entertainment. “Markham is a growing diverse city that will provide an excellent showcase for our thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing.”
The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham expects more than 140,000 attendees during its three-day weekend.
Source link
Source link
