The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs begin on Sunday 6 September 2026 with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. The postseason marks a return to the Chase format for the first time since 2014, with the top 16 drivers in regular-season points contesting a 10-race run to the championship at Phoenix Raceway on 8 November.
What are the NASCAR Cup Playoffs?
The NASCAR Cup Series is the premier class of American stock car racing, contested over a 36-race regular season. The playoffs are a postseason points shootout featuring the top 16 drivers from the regular season, with points resetting at the start of the postseason and drivers accumulating points through the final 10 races.
For 2026, NASCAR has returned to a revived Chase format, scrapping the elimination-style playoffs used from 2014 to 2025. Under the new system, the 16 qualifying drivers contest all 10 playoff races without elimination rounds, and the driver with the most points after the final race at Phoenix is crowned the season champion. Stage points, race wins and consistency all contribute.
When do the NASCAR Cup Playoffs begin?
The 2026 playoffs start on Sunday 6 September 2026 with the Cook Out Southern 500, a Labor Day weekend tradition since 1950. The green flag is scheduled for 18:00 Eastern Time (23:00 BST). The playoffs run through to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race on Sunday 8 November 2026.
Where does the playoff opener take place?
The opening race is the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, a 1.366-mile oval in Darlington, South Carolina known as “The Track Too Tough to Tame”. Opened in 1950, Darlington is one of NASCAR’s most historic venues and the Southern 500 is widely considered one of the sport’s crown jewel events. Subsequent playoff races visit Kansas, Bristol, New Hampshire, Kansas, Talladega, the Charlotte Roval, Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, Martinsville and Phoenix.
Key Contenders
The 16-driver playoff field is drawn from the top of the regular-season standings, with a guaranteed place for any regular-season race winner inside the top 16 in points. Perennial contenders include Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano. Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske typically dominate the postseason field between them.
Joey Logano is the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion after winning the 2024 title, with Kyle Larson taking the 2025 crown. Larson, Bell, Byron and Elliott are considered the main favourites heading into the 2026 postseason, with Hamlin still chasing his first Cup Series championship.
How to Watch
In the United States, NBC and USA Network broadcast the playoff races with streaming available on Peacock. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Premier Sports is the exclusive English-language broadcaster. In Canada, TSN shares rights with NBC’s coverage. Internationally, the NASCAR Digital App offers a subscription service covering most non-US territories, with ESPN International also carrying selected races.
History and Records
The NASCAR Cup Series dates to 1949 and is the most prestigious stock car championship in the world. Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt share the all-time record for most Cup Series championships with seven each, followed by Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie Johnson’s five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010 remain the longest championship streak in series history. Kyle Busch holds the record for most career race wins in the modern era.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the Cook Out Southern 500 and subsequent NASCAR Cup Series playoff races are sold through Ticketmaster and each track’s official website. Prices vary by venue, with grandstand seats typically starting around 50 US dollars and infield camping, hospitality and premium packages available for fans wanting a full race-day experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the NASCAR Cup Playoffs begin?
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Playoffs begin on Sunday 6 September 2026 at Darlington Raceway.
Where does the playoff opener take place?
The Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.
How can I watch the NASCAR Cup Playoffs?
NBC and USA Network in the US, Premier Sports in the UK, TSN in Canada.
Who won the last NASCAR Cup Series championship?
Kyle Larson won the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship.