The Roar on the Lake Shore has come to an end.
For the first time since it started in 1986, Indy Car Series’ annual race in downtown Toronto is moving north to Markham, Ont., beginning next year, officials announced on Wednesday.
The open-wheel racing event, once called Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Honda Indy Toronto, and the Molson Indy, has attracted many top drivers over the years to compete on the 11-turn, 2.874-kilometre track at Exhibition Place.
From August 14 to 16 next year, drivers will hit a new temporary circuit in downtown Markham’s eastern area, between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, the Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407. The new course will be 3.52 kilometres long and include 12 turns.
“We believe this location offers our fans a lot of great opportunities-whether it’s better views or experiences we didn’t have at our last venue,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham during a news conference.
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“We want to express our gratitude to Exhibition Place and the City of Toronto for their fantastic support over 40 years. However, we’re excited about creating fresh memories here in Markham. We have activities planned that we didn’t do in Toronto before-like music events and an RV club-and those are things we’re exploring here.”
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This race usually takes place in mid-July and would’ve added excitement to what will be a busy summer at Exhibition Place.
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In June 2026, thousands of soccer fans will head to BMO Field at Exhibition Grounds for six matches of the men’s FIFA World Cup. Around that same time, officials would begin setting up the track for this historic race-one of the oldest events on the Indy calendar.
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“If we took a year off from Exhibition Place in Ontario, this event may never come back. We did not wantto beonaseriesofoneyearrevolving contracts likewehavebeeninthe lastcoupleofyears. Wewantedtofindanewhome so wecanmakeinvestmentsforthefans.”
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti stated thatthe city’s agreementwith Indy isforfive yearsandthe racewill bethelargestprofessional sportingeventin York Regionwithmorethan140000peopleexpectedtoattend.
“Markham continuestobeacityofglobalinfluenceintheheartofallthatthisregionhas to offer,”hesaid.
“We areready. Wear eexcitedtohostthis storied sporting spectacle fromtheplanningthat isalready well underwaytothefinalcheckeredflag: buckleup, everyone, we’reofftotheraces.”
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View full screen
View full screen Previous Image Next Image Close Modal Gallery
This race usually takes place in mid-July and would’ve added excitement to what will be a busy summer at Exhibition Place.
Story continues below
In June 2026, thousands of soccer fans will head to BMO Field at Exhibition Grounds for six matches of the men’s FIFA World Cup. Around that same time, officials would begin setting up the track for this historic race-one of the oldest events on the Indy calendar.
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Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. Atkinson mentioned that while the World Cup influenced their choice to move to Markham-it wasn’t their only consideration. “Exhibition Place is fantastic but they have lots of future developments happening there,” he said. Traffic Trends
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“If we took a year off from Exhibition Place in Ontario, this event may never come back. We did not wantto beonaseriesofoneyearrevolving contracts likewehavebeeninthe lastcoupleofyears. Wewantedtofindanewhome so wecanmakeinvestmentsforthefans.”
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti stated thatthe city’s agreementwith Indy isforfive yearsandthe racewill bethelargestprofessional sportingeventin York Regionwithmorethan140000peopleexpectedtoattend.
“Markham continuestobeacityofglobalinfluenceintheheartofallthatthisregionhas to offer,”hesaid.
“We areready. Wear eexcitedtohostthis storied sporting spectacle fromtheplanningthat isalready well underwaytothefinalcheckeredflag: buckleup, everyone, we’reofftotheraces.”
Story continues below 1:55 “16-year-old Mayer Deonarine races after success at Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto”
Indy Car is North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, and its Ontario raceis Canada’s only Indyevent eachyear.
Thisyear’s Toronto Indywinnerwas Mexico’s Pato O’Ward, anddriverslike Scott Dixon, Josef Newgardenand Will Power-aswellas Canadianracing legends James Hinchcliffeand Jacques Villeneuve-have competed aroundthetrackover theyears.
Michael Andretti-the son of famous racer Mario Andretti-holds therecordfor mostwinsatthe Toronto Indywithseven, winnninghisfirstin1989andhis lastin2001.
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