2026 IMSA Calendar: Key Dates Across America’s Premier Sports Car Series
The 2026 IMSA calendar brings another action-packed season of endurance racing and multi-class battles across some of the most iconic circuits in North America. Anchored by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the calendar also features full schedules for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
From legendary endurance races to high-intensity sprint events, the 2026 IMSA calendar outlines when and where teams will compete throughout the year. Below, we break down each championship, highlighting how the season is structured and what fans can expect from every series on the IMSA ladder.
What Is IMSA?
The International Motor Sports Association, commonly known as IMSA, is one of the world’s leading organisers of professional sports car racing. Based in the United States, IMSA oversees multiple championships that form the backbone of the 2026 IMSA calendar, delivering endurance and sprint racing across some of the most iconic circuits in North America.
IMSA is best known for its multi-class racing format, where different types of cars compete on track at the same time while fighting for class-specific victories. This structure creates constant traffic, strategic complexity, and long-distance drama, especially in flagship events such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Twelve Hours of Sebring, both key pillars of the 2026 IMSA calendar.
Through series such as the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge, and VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, IMSA provides a clear progression pathway for teams and drivers. From production-based racing to top-tier prototypes, IMSA has become a global benchmark for sports car competition and remains a major attraction for manufacturers, fans, and broadcasters following the 2026 IMSA calendar.
2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
The 2026 IMSA calendar for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship once again delivers a world-class mix of endurance classics, street races, and iconic permanent circuits. As the flagship series on the 2026 IMSA calendar, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship showcases the pinnacle of sports car racing, featuring multi-class competition, factory-backed teams, and legendary events that define the global endurance racing landscape.
For teams and fans alike, the 2026 IMSA calendar highlights a season built around balance, technical challenge, and long-distance drama, with races ranging from 100-minute sprints to full 24-hour endurance battles.
2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Calendar
Below is the confirmed WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule as it appears on the 2026 IMSA calendar, detailing dates, venues, race duration, and key circuit specifications.
| Event | Date | Circuit | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roar Before the Rolex 24 | Jan 16–18 | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Rolex 24 at Daytona | Jan 21–25 | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring | Mar 18–21 | Sebring International Raceway | Sebring, Florida |
| Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach | Apr 17–18 | Long Beach Street Circuit | Long Beach, California |
| WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | May 1–3 | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | Monterey, California |
| Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix | May 29–30 | Detroit Street Circuit | Detroit, Michigan |
| Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen | Jun 25–28 | Watkins Glen International | Watkins Glen, New York |
| Chevrolet Grand Prix | Jul 10–12 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada |
| Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix | Jul 30 – Aug 2 | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin |
| Michelin GT Challenge at VIR | Aug 20–23 | VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, Virginia |
| TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks | Sep 18–20 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Motul Petit Le Mans | Oct 1–3 | Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | Braselton, Georgia |
What to expect
The 2026 IMSA calendar places a strong emphasis on endurance racing, with cornerstone events such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America, and Petit Le Mans forming the backbone of the season. These races test reliability, strategy, and driver stamina, often deciding championship momentum.
Street circuits like Long Beach and Detroit add a contrasting challenge to the 2026 IMSA calendar, demanding precision and adaptability from teams used to high-speed permanent tracks. Meanwhile, classic venues such as Laguna Seca, VIR, and Indianapolis ensure that technical driving skill remains just as important as outright pace.
Overall, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship stands as the centrepiece of the 2026 IMSA calendar, delivering a season that blends heritage, innovation, and some of the most competitive sports car racing in the world.
2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
The 2026 IMSA calendar for the Michelin Pilot Challenge continues to play a vital role in the IMSA racing ecosystem, offering close, competitive racing that bridges the gap between grassroots endurance and top-tier sports car competition. Running alongside major WeatherTech events, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is a cornerstone of the 2026 IMSA calendar, featuring production-based GT and touring cars in fiercely contested endurance and sprint formats.
As part of the wider 2026 IMSA calendar, the Michelin Pilot Challenge gives fans more track action at iconic circuits, while also serving as a proving ground for rising drivers, teams, and manufacturers.
2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Calendar
Below is the Michelin Pilot Challenge schedule as listed on the 2026 IMSA calendar, including event dates, circuits, and locations.
| Event | Date | Circuit | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roar Before the Rolex 24 | Jan 16–18 | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Rolex 24 at Daytona (Pilot Challenge race) | Jan 21–25 | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring | Mar 18–21 | Sebring International Raceway | Sebring, Florida |
| WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | May 1–3 | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | Monterey, California |
| O’Reilly Auto Parts 4 Hours of Mid-Ohio | Jun 5–7 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | Lexington, Ohio |
| Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen | Jun 25–28 | Watkins Glen International | Watkins Glen, New York |
| Chevrolet Grand Prix | Jul 10–12 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada |
| Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix | Jul 30 – Aug 2 | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin |
| Michelin GT Challenge at VIR | Aug 20–23 | VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, Virginia |
| TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks | Sep 18–20 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Motul Petit Le Mans | Oct 1–3 | Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | Braselton, Georgia |
What to expect
The 2026 IMSA calendar positions the Michelin Pilot Challenge as one of the most accessible and entertaining series to follow, with races that emphasise strategy, consistency, and wheel-to-wheel action. Most events are two-hour races, while Mid-Ohio stands out with a four-hour endurance format that adds another strategic layer to the season.
By sharing weekends with headline IMSA events, the Michelin Pilot Challenge benefits from packed schedules and strong fan attendance, making it an essential part of the 2026 IMSA calendar experience. Expect intense manufacturer rivalries, emerging talent, and racing that often delivers some of the closest finishes of the entire IMSA season.
2026 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
The 2026 IMSA calendar also features a full season of action from the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, a series that blends sprint-style intensity with selective endurance formats. As part of the broader 2026 IMSA calendar, the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge provides a competitive platform for developing drivers, gentleman racers, and teams looking to progress within the IMSA ladder.
With shorter race durations and a diverse mix of circuits, the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge adds variety and accessibility to the 2026 IMSA calendar, delivering fast-paced racing across North America’s most recognisable venues.
2026 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Calendar
Below is the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge schedule as listed on the 2026 IMSA calendar, including event dates, circuits, and locations.
| Event | Date | Circuit | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roar Before the Rolex 24 | Jan 16–18 | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Circuit of the Americas | Feb 27–28 | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, Texas |
| Sebring International Raceway | Mar 6–8 | Sebring International Raceway | Sebring, Florida |
| Circuit of the Americas | May 7–9 | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, Texas |
| O’Reilly Auto Parts 4 Hours of Mid-Ohio | Jun 5–7 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | Lexington, Ohio |
| VIRginia International Raceway | Jun 19–21 | VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, Virginia |
| Chevrolet Grand Prix | Jul 10–12 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada |
| Road America | Aug 14–16 | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin |
| Michelin GT Challenge at VIR | Aug 20–23 | VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, Virginia |
| Motul Petit Le Mans | Oct 1–3 | Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | Braselton, Georgia |
What to expect
The 2026 IMSA calendar positions the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge as one of the most dynamic and approachable series within IMSA. With many races running at 45 minutes and select two-hour endurance events, the format rewards aggressive driving, clean execution, and sharp racecraft.
By visiting circuits multiple times, such as Circuit of the Americas and VIR, the series allows teams to refine setups and strategies across the season. As part of the overall 2026 IMSA calendar, the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge delivers compact, high-energy racing that complements the longer endurance battles found elsewhere in the IMSA paddock.
2026 IMSA Calendar: Complete Combined Schedule
The 2026 IMSA calendar delivers a packed season of sports car racing across North America, bringing together the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, and IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. While each championship has its own identity and race formats, many events share the same race weekends, creating action-filled schedules for teams, broadcasters, and fans.
By combining every championship into one chronological table, the 2026 IMSA calendar makes it easy to see which weekends feature multiple IMSA series and where the biggest race festivals of the season take place.
| Date | Event / Circuit | Location | Championships Running |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16–18 | Roar Before the Rolex 24 – Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot · VP Racing |
| Jan 21–25 | Rolex 24 at Daytona – Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot |
| Feb 27–28 | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, Texas | VP Racing |
| Mar 6–8 | Sebring International Raceway | Sebring, Florida | VP Racing |
| Mar 18–21 | Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring – Sebring International Raceway | Sebring, Florida | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot |
| Apr 17–18 | Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach – Long Beach Street Circuit | Long Beach, California | WeatherTech |
| May 1–3 | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | Monterey, California | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot |
| May 7–9 | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, Texas | VP Racing |
| May 29–30 | Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix – Detroit Street Circuit | Detroit, Michigan | WeatherTech |
| Jun 5–7 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | Lexington, Ohio | Michelin Pilot · VP Racing |
| Jun 19–21 | VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, Virginia | VP Racing |
| Jun 25–28 | Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen – Watkins Glen International | Watkins Glen, New York | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot |
| Jul 10–12 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot · VP Racing |
| Jul 30 – Aug 2 | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot |
| Aug 14–16 | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin | VP Racing |
| Aug 20–23 | VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, Virginia | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot · VP Racing |
| Sep 18–20 | TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks – Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Indianapolis, Indiana | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot |
| Oct 1–3 | Motul Petit Le Mans – Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | Braselton, Georgia | WeatherTech · Michelin Pilot · VP Racing |
How To Watch IMSA In South Africa
Following the 2026 IMSA calendar from South Africa is easier than many fans expect, with several options available to keep up with races, highlights, and results throughout the season.
DStv SuperSport (Channel 215) may broadcast selected IMSA races or weekend highlights, particularly marquee events such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans. Coverage can vary by season and scheduling, so it is worth checking the SuperSport TV guide ahead of major race weekends on the 2026 IMSA calendar.
For full race coverage, schedules, and official results, fans can visit the IMSA official website. From there, viewers can navigate between the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge, and VP Racing SportsCar Challenge to track standings, race reports, and timing data.
IMSA also maintains active YouTube channels for each championship, where race replays, highlights, onboard footage, and behind-the-scenes content are regularly uploaded. This makes YouTube one of the most reliable ways for South African fans to follow every round of the 2026 IMSA calendar, even when live broadcasts are not available locally.
A Complete Season Of Sports Car Racing
The 2026 IMSA calendar showcases one of the most diverse and compelling schedules in global motorsport, combining endurance classics, sprint races, and multi-series race weekends across North America. With the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the top, supported by the Michelin Pilot Challenge and VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, IMSA delivers non-stop action from January through October.
For South African fans, the 2026 IMSA calendar offers multiple ways to stay connected, from selected SuperSport coverage to official IMSA platforms and YouTube highlights. Whether you are following legendary endurance races or tracking emerging talent, IMSA remains a must-watch championship for anyone passionate about sports car racing.
