NASCAR Championship Format Reveal: Everything You Need to Know
The wait is almost over for race fans eager to see the future of the sport. NASCAR is set to unveil the championship format for the 2026 season and beyond during a major press conference this coming Monday, January 12. For anyone who lives and breathes stock car racing, this is one of those “circle the calendar” moments.
Changes to how we crown a champion always spark intense conversation in the garage and the grandstands, and Monday’s announcement promises to set the tone for the next era of competition. Here is the full rundown on how to catch the news live and what to expect as we gear up for another year of high-speed action.
How to Watch the Announcement Live
If you want to hear the news the second it breaks, you have plenty of options. The sanctioning body is making sure fans can tune in from just about anywhere. The press conference will be streamed live from Concord, North Carolina.
Coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 12. You can catch the stream on:
- NASCAR.com
- The NASCAR Channel
- NASCAR YouTube Channel
Make sure your notifications are on because this isn’t just a press release, it’s a live event that could reshape the playoff picture for years to come.
Deep Dive: “Inside the Race” Follow-Up Show
The analysis doesn’t stop once the press conference microphones are turned off. Immediately following the formal announcement, a special edition of “Inside the Race” will stream live from the NASCAR Production Facility. This studio show is where the real breakdown happens.
Expect expert analysis, reactions from around the industry, and a closer look at what the new format means for drivers and teams. If you want to understand the nuts and bolts of the changes and how they might affect strategy on Sunday afternoons, you won’t want to miss this post-announcement coverage.
The Road to the 2026 Season
This announcement is the final major piece of the puzzle before engines fire for the 2026 season. It feels like the offseason just started, yet here we are, knocking on the door of another year of racing. The anticipation is already building for the on-track action to return. The 2026 campaign kicks off with a bang at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium for the Cook Out Clash exhibition race.
That goes down on Sunday, February 1 (8 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Seeing Cup cars battle it out at “The Madhouse” is going to be a spectacle you have to see to believe. Then, business picks up for real a few weeks later. The season officially begins with the sport’s biggest stage: the 68th annual Daytona 500.
The “Great American Race” is set for Sunday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. There is nothing quite like the energy at Daytona International Speedway in February, and with a new championship format potentially in play, the stakes for every lap of the season will feel higher than ever.
Why This Announcement Matters
We all know that the championship format is the heartbeat of the season. It dictates strategy, pressure, and the drama we see unfold from Daytona all the way to the season finale. Whether you loved the previous system or were hoping for a shake-up, Monday will provide the answers.
Will there be tweaks to the playoff rounds? Adjustments to how points are awarded? Or something entirely different? The sanctioning body has kept things close to the vest, which only adds to the intrigue.
For the drivers, Monday changes the playbook. For the fans, it changes the conversation. So, get your devices ready for Monday afternoon. The future of the NASCAR Cup Series is about to be revealed, and you’ll want to be watching live when history is made.
