Report: Why the NASCAR Playoff Format is Unlikely to Change in 2026
The regular-season portion of the NASCAR schedule is drawing to a close next month with the four remaining races of the regular season. It sets up an exciting 16-team playoff featuring the top drivers in the sport. However, there’s just as much focus on the NASCAR playoff format in 2026.
During Sunday’s episode of The Teardown, Jeff Gluck of The Athletic shared that he no longer believes the NASCAR playoff format will be changed next year. While many in the industry want to see a change, several factors now seem likely to prevent it from happening next season.
“I went from 90 percent sure the format is going to change next year to…maybe 20 percent.”
The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck on the likelihood of the NASCAR playoff format being changed in 2026
In an in-depth segment, starting at the 56-minute mark, Gluck explained some of the things going on behind the scenes with the NASCAR playoff committee. He is part of a committee consisting of “30 to 40 people,” which includes team owners, current drivers, other media members, and former drivers. So far, they’ve met twice and also discussed ideas through emails.
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Following the second meeting, which occurred during the week of the Coca-Cola 600 (May 25), there was “a lot of movement” toward changing the NASCAR playoff format next season. Gluck said that as of a few weeks ago, he even thought there was a “90 to 95 percent chance” the one-race championship would be abolished for 2026.
However, the television rights partner for the playoff races (NBC) has a significant voice in a potential change and is reportedly the “hangup” in it happening. That’s because, in 2023, NBC agreed to a media rights deal (2025–31) that pays out more than $1 billion a year to NASCAR for the broadcasting rights to the playoffs, including the championship round.
“TV wants a playoff. They want eliminations…they want something close, to I think, what is happening now. They don’t want to go too far from that. Too radically different.”
Jeff Gluck on NBC’s role in discussions of changing the NASCAR playoff format
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As The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi immediately followed up with, NBC agreed to this multi-billion-dollar deal with the expectation of having playoff races and a single championship race to broadcast. Dramatically changing the playoff format could alter NBC’s NASCAR ratings when competing directly with the NFL.
For as important a voice as fans, drivers, and media members have in the process, TV rights represent the biggest source of revenue for NASCAR. With chartered teams now receiving a bigger share of revenue under the new charter agreement signed this offseason, the sport wants to ensure its biggest source of funding is happy.
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Ultimately, a change to the playoff format is still likely coming in the next few years, but it’s not something NASCAR officials want to rush. There is also a more pressing matter at play that is likely the final reason the playoff format will stay the same next season.
NASCAR still hasn’t released its schedule for the 2026 season yet, but the goal is to get it out in early to mid-August. That simply doesn’t leave the playoff committee enough time to reach consensus on a new playoff format and then give it to NASCAR with enough time for the schedule to be adjusted.
As a result, the 16-driver playoff with a one-race Championship 4 will likely still be used in 2026. One key difference, though: the championship race will take place at Homestead-Miami Speedway instead of Phoenix Raceway.
NFL, MLB & college football writer for Sportsnaut. Graduated from San Diego State University with BA in Journalism, 2019. ... More about Matt Johnson