NASCAR Responds to Fans: All Races to Air on Regular TV Channel, No Subscription Required

In a groundbreaking move that’s already being celebrated across the motorsports world, NASCAR has officially announced that all national series races—including Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks—will be available on a single, regular broadcast TV channel without requiring any subscription starting in 2026. The decision marks a significant shift in the sport’s media strategy and comes in direct response to growing fan frustration over streaming paywalls and fragmented coverage.

For years, viewers have voiced concerns over NASCAR’s increasingly complex media landscape. With races split between cable networks and digital platforms—often behind paywalls—many longtime fans felt shut out. Social media was flooded with complaints every race weekend about needing multiple subscriptions just to follow a full season. NASCAR listened.

“This move is about access,” NASCAR President Steve Phelps said in a statement. “Our fans are the heartbeat of this sport. We’ve heard them loud and clear, and we’re delivering a viewing experience that is simple, consistent, and available to everyone.”

While the specific broadcast partner has yet to be officially named, industry insiders suggest a major network—possibly FOX, ABC, or CBS—will carry all races live, coast to coast, free over the air. This will mark the first time in decades that the entire national schedule can be watched without cable or streaming add-ons.

The announcement is being hailed as a fan-first decision at a time when other sports are leaning harder into premium subscription models. NASCAR, by contrast, is doubling down on accessibility in a bid to rebuild its base, attract younger viewers, and ensure that casual fans can once again stumble across a race while flipping through channels on a Sunday afternoon.

Veteran drivers and team owners were quick to praise the move. “This is a huge win,” said Denny Hamlin. “We need more eyeballs on the product, and this gets us there.”

The change also opens the door for greater sponsor exposure, stronger TV ratings, and renewed interest from fans who had drifted away. In an era where audience engagement is everything, NASCAR just made a play that could reestablish it as one of the most accessible sports in America.

The first full season under the new broadcast model will launch in 2026, but fans can expect more details—including the official network partner—later this year.

For now, the message is clear: NASCAR is putting the fans first. And the fans are roaring back.