IndyCar in Brazil: Why Goiânia Is in the Frame for a 2027 Race

A visit by IndyCar executives to the Goiânia circuit has opened discussions about the series’ potential return to Brazil, while Goiás’ Sports Secretary outlines the state’s strategy to Racing United. Fernanda Anselmo reports from São Paulo. Adapted from the original Portuguese.

The possibility of IndyCar returning to Brazil has gained momentum following a visit by a delegation from the series to the Ayrton Senna International Raceway in Goiânia.

Last Friday 10th April, the circuit welcomed representatives of America’s premier open-wheel racing category, led by Mark Miles, President and CEO of Penske Entertainment, IndyCar’s parent company. The delegation also included IndyCar’s representatives for Latin America, Willy Herrmann and Carlo Gancia.

During the visit, they toured the facilities and met with state officials to assess the venue’s potential to host a future race. The visit took place just weeks after MotoGP’s return to Brazil and marked the beginning of discussions between the Government of Goiás and IndyCar regarding a possible event in the state in the coming years.

According to the state government, IndyCar executives praised both the circuit layout and the quality of the venue’s infrastructure during the inspection. The agenda was led by acting governor Daniel Vilela, who presented the investments made in the circuit and highlighted the factors that position Goiânia as a candidate for major international motorsport events.

“We are excited and optimistic about the possibility of bringing another major sporting event to Goiás. This means more jobs and greater economic activity for our state. We will work hard to advance negotiations and make an IndyCar race in Goiânia a reality as early as 2027,” said Vilela.

For the Government of Goiás, attracting IndyCar is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the state’s international profile. In an interview with Racing United, Goiás Secretary of Sports and Leisure Welington Peixoto said the plan is to use sport as a tool for economic development and regional promotion.

“The Government of Goiás sees major international events as an opportunity to boost tourism, the economy and sport itself. In this context, Goiânia and the Ayrton Senna International Raceway play a strategic role,” he said.

According to Peixoto, the city’s geographical location is one of its strongest assets.

“We are located in the central region of Brazil and, consequently, of South America as well. We saw the impact of this during the Goiás MotoGP Grand Prix, which attracted visitors from around the world, with particularly strong attendance from across South America,” he explained.

Daniel Vilela also emphasised the circuit’s privileged location, close to major highways, logistics hubs, hotels and transportation infrastructure.

“Our goal is to transform the region into a sporting hub for different disciplines,” he said.

Inside the Goiânia circuit: infrastructure as the selling point

IndyCar’s visit comes after a major redevelopment project carried out by the Government of Goiás at the Ayrton Senna International Raceway.

Approximately R$250 million was invested in the project. The redevelopment included a complete reconstruction of the 3.835km circuit, new pit facilities, hospitality suites, resurfacing work, a medical centre, a race control tower and upgraded run-off areas.

The improvements secured homologation from both the FIA and the FIM, making the venue eligible to host some of the world’s leading motorsport categories. Today, the circuit’s infrastructure is one of Goiás’ strongest arguments in its pursuit of additional international events.

“The combination of our location and the infrastructure of the Goiânia International Raceway, which has undergone extensive renovation and has become one of the most modern facilities in Latin America, represents an undeniable attraction for major international racing categories,” Peixoto said.

Another point highlighted by state authorities is public safety. During MotoGP 2026, only one mobile phone theft was reported and no robberies were recorded, a result officials believe reinforces Goiânia’s ability to host large-scale international events.

The MotoGP Brazil 2026 effect

MotoGP’s return to Brazil after a 22-year absence is viewed by the state government as one of the factors that increased interest from other international racing categories in the Goiânia circuit. According to figures released by the Government of Goiás, the event attracted approximately 150,000 spectators over the race weekend and generated around R$1.14 billion in economic impact.

“MotoGP’s impact has been extremely positive. It was a success in the eyes of riders and organisers and, above all, a success in terms of attendance. Nearly 150,000 people passed through the Goiânia circuit during the event, and more than 80% of them came from outside Goiás,” Peixoto said.

According to the secretary, MotoGP’s operational success helped strengthen Goiânia’s reputation on the international motorsport stage.

“The visit by IndyCar executives was extremely positive, and we hope to bring another major event to Goiás,” he added.

For the Government of Goiás, a future IndyCar race would represent only one step in a long-term project. According to Peixoto, the modernisation of the circuit was designed to transform Goiânia into a permanent hub for major international motorsport events and establish the city as one of Latin America’s leading references in the sector.

Why Brazil still matters to IndyCar

The NTT IndyCar Series is the premier open-wheel championship in the United States and one of the most established categories in world motorsport. Its calendar combines oval, street and road-course events, with the Indianapolis 500 standing as its flagship race and one of the most prestigious events in global motorsport.

While the majority of the championship takes place in North America, IndyCar has shown an interest in strengthening its international presence. In 2026, the series expanded its global distribution footprint to more than 200 countries and territories, reinforcing its strategy of increasing audience reach worldwide.

Brazil has a long-standing relationship with IndyCar. The country hosted races in Rio de Janeiro during the 1990s and later in São Paulo between 2010 and 2013. Brazilian drivers have also played a major role in shaping the modern history of the championship.

Names such as Emerson Fittipaldi, Gil de Ferran, Hélio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan and Cristiano da Matta won championships, races and Indianapolis 500 victories, helping establish Brazil as one of IndyCar’s most important international markets over the past decades.

Brazil's motorsport resurgence: F1, WEC, Formula E and now IndyCar

IndyCar’s visit to Goiânia comes at a time when Brazil is experiencing a resurgence on the international motorsport stage. In recent years, the country has attracted several major global championships.

In 2024, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) returned to Interlagos after a decade-long absence, with the success of the event leading to a contract extension through 2033. Formula E has also selected São Paulo as the opening venue for consecutive seasons of its world championship, consolidating the city as one of the series’ key destinations outside Europe.

Meanwhile, Formula 1 secured its future at Interlagos through at least 2030 following a contract renewal with the city of São Paulo. According to municipal authorities, the event generates close to R$2 billion annually with over 290,000 visitors.

MotoGP’s return to Brazil in 2026 further reinforced this trend. The event attracted around 150,000 spectators and served as a showcase for the modernised Ayrton Senna International Raceway, which is now seeking to attract additional international categories.

The trend, however, extends beyond Brazil. In recent years, Latin America has regained strategic importance for several international championships. IndyCar’s interest in the region is not new. Before discussions with Goiás began, the series spent more than a year working on a project to return to Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Negotiations progressed significantly, but the initiative was postponed due to logistical challenges associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.

In this context, IndyCar’s visit to Goiânia can be viewed as part of a broader movement. 

Brazil is once again being seen by major championships as a market with a deep passion for motorsport. It is also viewed as a destination capable of offering strong attendance, modern infrastructure and significant economic potential.

The combination of motorsport tradition, large television audiences, relevant consumer markets and highly engaged fan bases has once again made Latin America a region of interest for promoters and international racing categories.

Competition, however, is not limited to Goiânia. In recent years, authorities in São Paulo have also expressed interest in bringing IndyCar back to the state, and discussions involving a potential Brazilian race have been ongoing since at least 2024.

While there is still no official confirmation regarding an IndyCar race in Brazil, the visit to Goiânia represents one of the clearest signs in recent years that the series is once again looking at the country. For Goiás, it could be an opportunity to turn its investments in the circuit into a new chapter in Brazil’s presence on the international motorsport calendar.

Frequently asked questions

Is IndyCar coming to Brazil?

No race has been confirmed. Following an April 2026 visit by Penske Entertainment executives to the Ayrton Senna International Raceway in Goiânia, the series has opened discussions with the Government of Goiás about a possible event. It is one of the clearest signs in years that IndyCar is again looking at Brazil, where it last raced in São Paulo in 2013.

When could IndyCar race in Brazil?

The Government of Goiás has said it hopes to stage a race as early as 2027, though no date has been agreed and the lead time involved means a later year is possible. São Paulo has also expressed interest in hosting, so a Brazilian round is not guaranteed to go to Goiânia.

Where was the 2026 MotoGP Brazil race held?

At the Ayrton Senna International Raceway in Goiânia on 22 March 2026, the first MotoGP round in Brazil since 2004. The 3.835km circuit was redeveloped to meet FIA and FIM standards, and the event drew roughly 150,000 spectators and generated around R$1.14 billion in economic impact.

Why did IndyCar cancel its 2026 Mexico City race?

IndyCar had spent more than a year working towards a return to Mexico City's Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, but in September 2025 it confirmed the race would not happen in 2026. Penske Entertainment cited the scheduling impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The series has said it intends to return when the timing allows.

Which major motorsport series race in Brazil?

Brazil hosts a growing roster. Formula 1 is secured at Interlagos through at least 2030, the FIA World Endurance Championship returned to São Paulo in 2024 and has extended to 2033, Formula E opens recent seasons in São Paulo, and MotoGP returned at Goiânia in 2026. IndyCar's interest would add to that list.