when is the daytona 500

The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Quick Scoop

• Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026.

• Track: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida.

• Series: It’s the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

• Start time: Current info lists the race time around the afternoon (provisional schedules show about 2:30 p.m. local), but always double‑check closer to race day as times can shift slightly.

Why this date matters

February 15, 2026 will be the 68th running of the “Great American Race,” making it one of the marquee motorsport events of the year and the kickoff to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.