IndyCar could be heading back to Europe.
According to Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern, IndyCar is in serious talks with organizers of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya about holding a race in Barcelona as early as 2027. Five people familiar with the matter told SBJ that discussions are ongoing, although no agreement has been completed or guaranteed.
The potential move would give IndyCar an opportunity to return to Europe while also putting Spanish superstar Alex Palou at the center of a major international event.
Barcelona Could Become IndyCar’s European Comeback
A Barcelona race would mark IndyCar’s first event outside North America since the series raced in Brazil in 2013.
The possibility comes as IndyCar, under Penske Entertainment and with FOX Sports as its broadcast partner, continues looking for new venues and ways to expand its audience. The series has already added events in new markets, including Arlington, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
However, taking the championship across the Atlantic would come with significant logistical challenges.
SBJ reports that it remains unclear whether a Barcelona event would count toward the championship or instead be held as an exhibition. A race would also require major commitments from promoters and sponsors to help cover the cost of transporting teams and equipment between continents.
The timing could nevertheless work because the Barcelona circuit is a permanent facility. A deal reached during the fall could still allow the event to take place in 2027, although ticket sales would have less time to build.
Related: Could NASCAR and IndyCar Share More Race Weekends After Phoenix?
Alex Palou Adds Another Dimension
The biggest attraction could be Alex Palou.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver has won four consecutive IndyCar championships and five of the last six, giving the series a Spanish star capable of generating significant local interest.
Barcelona could therefore provide more than just a return to Europe. It would give IndyCar the opportunity to stage a major event in the home region of one of its most dominant drivers.
The circuit is also facing a changing Formula 1 landscape. Barcelona is partially losing its F1 presence to Madrid as the championship adopts a new European rotation. According to SBJ, the venue is scheduled to host F1 again in 2028, followed by 2030 and 2032.
That creates a potential opening for another major racing series.
For now, the discussions are described as serious, but a final agreement has yet to be reached.
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