Formula DRIFT Drops a Wild 2026 Schedule with Three New Venues: Las Vegas, Connecticut, and Indy Step Up
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Formula DRIFT isn’t slowing down after its record-breaking 2025 season. The series just revealed its 2026 competition schedule, and let’s just say — the series as we know it is about to get WRECKED
After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, three new venues are joining the eight-round championship: Stafford Motor Speedway (near Boston), Indianapolis Raceway Park, and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
From E-Town to Stafford: A Big East Coast Shake-Up
The biggest surprise? Englishtown Raceway Park, one of FD’s fan-favorite stops, is off the schedule. The track, purpose-built for Formula DRIFT, is currently going through an acquisition process and the series couldn’t lock in a date for 2026. With deadlines looming and teams needing to plan budgets, FD made the tough call to relocate the Northeast round. This decision is a huge surprise and we are interested to see what happens to Englishtown in the coming years.
The new home: Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut. Known for hosting Cleetus McFarland’s packed-out events, the track already has the infrastructure to handle massive crowds and tire smoke alike. The venue’s proximity to Boston also opens up a brand-new market for East Coast fans who’ve never seen FD live.
“It was a tough decision, but we’re confident Stafford can deliver everything our teams and fans expect,” said Ryan Sage, President of Formula DRIFT.
Expect both PRO and PROSPEC championships to tear up Stafford from June 18–20.
Welcome to Indy — FD Heads to the Home of American Motorsports
From there, the caravan heads west to Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) — a venue steeped in American racing history. Originally opened in 1960 and boasting a drag strip, oval, and road course, IRP has the space and setup to host something epic. FD lands in Indy from July 30–August 1, bringing top-tier drifting to the Midwest in a way it’s never been seen before. The move is part of FD’s long-term strategy to reach new fans while partnering with facilities that can support the sport’s explosive growth.
Vegas, Baby — FD Returns with a Three-Year Deal
Perhaps the biggest headline grabber: Formula DRIFT returns to Las Vegas for the first time since 2012. But this time, it’s not just a pop-up parking lot event. The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host Round 7 and the PROSPEC season finale on September 24–26, under a brand-new three-year agreement. FD will invest directly in resurfacing and updating the facility for drift-specific use, a move that solidifies Vegas as a long-term partner.
“We’re coming back under very different circumstances,” Sage explained. “This is about building something sustainable that teams and fans can enjoy for years.”
It’s a power play that reflects FD’s growing influence, transforming tracks into drift destinations and giving back to the motorsport community that built them.
Old Favorites, New Energy
Alongside these radical additions, several fan-favorite venues remain on the schedule including Streets of Long Beach, Road Atlanta, Orlando Speed World, and Evergreen
Speedway. And speaking of Long Beach, FD’s new Shoreline Showdown street course, which debuted as the 2025 finale, will return to close out the 2026 PRO Championship on October 23–24. The series plans to tweak the layout each year, keeping that unpredictable “Irwindale energy” alive in SoCal.
The 2026 Formula DRIFT Schedule (Provisional)
April 10–11 — Streets of Long Beach (PRO)
May 7–9 — Road Atlanta (PRO/PROSPEC)
May 29–30 — Orlando Speed World (PRO)
June 18–20 — Stafford Motor Speedway, CT (PRO/PROSPEC)
July 30–August 1 — Indianapolis Raceway Park (PRO/PROSPEC)
August 21–22 — Evergreen Speedway (PRO)
September 24–26 — The Bullring, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (PRO/PROSPEC Final)
October 23–24 — Long Beach Shoreline Showdown (PRO Finale)
The Big Picture
Formula DRIFT’s 2025 season set every kind of record imaginable — biggest crowds, biggest views, youngest winner, and a new five-time champion. Now, the 2026 schedule proves the series isn’t afraid to take risks to keep that momentum going.
New tracks, new markets, and serious investment in long-term partnerships show that FD is more than just expanding — it’s evolving.
“Change can bring challenges,” Sage said, “but we only move when we know we’re improving the experience. We’re excited for what’s ahead.”
The 2026 season kicks off April 10–11 on the Streets of Long Beach.
