Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Moves to Markham with $1.5 Million Provincial Investment
Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Markham Move Opens New Era for Canadian Motorsport
MARKHAM, Ont. — The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy will make its Markham debut from August 14 to 16, 2026, supported by a $1.5 million investment from the provincial government.
The race is moving to Markham after nearly four decades at Exhibition Place in Toronto, opening a new chapter for one of Canada’s longest-running major motorsport events.
As the only Canadian race on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, the three-day event is expected to attract more than 150,000 spectators while generating tens of millions of dollars in spending through tourism, hotels, restaurants, transportation and event services.
Why the Move to Markham Is Significant
The relocation represents one of the largest changes in the event’s history.
The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy is the second-oldest street race on the IndyCar schedule and has been closely associated with downtown Toronto since the 1980s.
Its move to Markham places the event in one of the GTA’s largest and fastest-growing municipalities while giving York Region a new international sport-tourism attraction.
Natalie Pierre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Sport, described the move as a new chapter for the event and Ontario’s major-event strategy.
“Supporting this iconic event as it hits the track in Markham, our government is building on that momentum, growing sport tourism and reinforcing Ontario’s reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events,” Pierre said.
🏎️🏁 The @ontario_indy is one of Canada’s premier motorsport events and the only Canadian stop on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar.
⁰As it races into Markham for the first time, we’re proud to invest $1.5 million to support an event that attracts more than 150,000 visitors,… pic.twitter.com/7E3ywue5BG— Natalie Pierre (@NatalieKPierre) July 27, 2026
Event Expected to Draw More Than 150,000 Fans
The province says the Markham race is expected to welcome more than 150,000 attendees over the three-day weekend.
In 2025, the event attracted more than 160,000 visitors and generated over $85 million for Ontario’s economy while operating from Exhibition Place.
The provincial investment will support event delivery, international marketing and improvements to the fan experience.
Organizers say the funding will also help showcase Markham and the broader region to an international audience.
“Bringing the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy to Markham represents an exciting new chapter for our event,” said event president Jeff Atkinson.
“This support not only allows us to deliver a world-class motorsport experience for fans, but also drives significant tourism, supports local businesses, and showcases Markham and the entire region on a global stage.”
Markham Gains Major Sport-Tourism Event
Hosting the race gives Markham and York Region an opportunity to benefit from visitor spending associated with accommodation, dining, retail and transportation.
The event is also expected to generate employment through construction, hospitality, security, logistics, broadcasting and event operations.
Ontario has increasingly used major sports events as an economic development tool, supporting competitions that attract visitors and international media exposure.
The province previously invested $1.5 million in the 2026 RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, which was expected to attract more than 130,000 attendees.
Ontario also committed $97 million in funding and provincial services to Toronto’s role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and FIFA Fan Festival Toronto.
Part of Ontario’s Sport-Tourism Strategy
The Indy investment complements Ontario’s broader support for sport infrastructure and event hosting.
Through the $500 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, the province is supporting the construction and renovation of athletic facilities across Ontario.
The province also operates the Ontario Sport Hosting Program, which supports national and international amateur events intended to generate tourism and provide high-performance competition opportunities.
For Markham, the arrival of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy provides a high-profile opportunity to establish the city as a destination for major international events.
The race will take place from August 14 to 16, bringing IndyCar competition to Markham for the first time after almost 40 years in Toronto.
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