Beginning in 2027, IndyCar will no longer accept entries from non-chartered teams in races except the Indianapolis 500, the series confirmed to IndyStar on Saturday. There will be 25 full-time IndyCar entries in 2027 before that number returns to 27 in 2028 with Honda and Chevrolet each receiving a chartered entry as part of their agreement to re-sign as engine manufacturers.
“Beginning with the 2027 IndyCar series season, entry fields at all races outside of the Indianapolis 500 will be limited to chartered teams only," IndyCar said in a statement. "This decision was reached after thoughtful consideration with key stakeholders and, in particular, series suppliers who are making plans for the upcoming season as all parties look to build the series’ health and on-track competition.”
IndyCar began its charter system, which NASCAR introduced in 2016, ahead of the 2025 season. IndyCar made 25 of its 27 full-time entries chartered, making them eligible for the Leaders Circle program, which compensated the 22 highest finishing chartered entries in the standings. Prema Racing, which was in its inaugural IndyCar season in 2025, was the only team not to have its two entries chartered last year.
This year, every full-time entry in the series has been chartered due to Prema Racing being unable to compete while DC Racing Solutions, Prema Racing's parent company, looks to sell the team or secure a significant investor. That has kept the full-time field at its 25 chartered cars.
Caio Collet, A.J. Foyt Racing driver for the 2026 IndyCar Series season
Santino Ferrucci, 2026 IndyCar Series driver for A.J. Foyt Racing
Will Power, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2025 Indianapolis 500 driver
Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 24: Romain Grosjean driver of The #16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 GTD walks on stage during driver introductions before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 24, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly (76) makes his way to pit lane Thursday, May 15, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Jack Harvey was announced Monday as the driver of the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Hy-Vee Honda for 2022 on a multi-year deal.
Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Ed Carpenter, 2025 Indy 500 driver
Rinus Veekay, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Helio Castroneves walks onto the track Friday, May 23, 2025, On Carb Day ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Louis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (75) suits up for practice on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, walks through the pit lane during the first day of the ADAC Formula Four preseason tests in Oschersleben, Germany.
Josef Newgarden, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
David Malukas, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series1 / 31
Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Caio Collet, A.J. Foyt Racing driver for the 2026 IndyCar Series season
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Caio Collet, A.J. Foyt Racing driver for the 2026 IndyCar Series season
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Santino Ferrucci, 2026 IndyCar Series driver for A.J. Foyt Racing
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Will Power, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2025 Indianapolis 500 driver
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Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 24: Romain Grosjean driver of The #16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 GTD walks on stage during driver introductions before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 24, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly (76) makes his way to pit lane Thursday, May 15, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Jack Harvey was announced Monday as the driver of the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Hy-Vee Honda for 2022 on a multi-year deal.
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Ed Carpenter, 2025 Indy 500 driver
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Rinus Veekay, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Helio Castroneves walks onto the track Friday, May 23, 2025, On Carb Day ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Louis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (75) suits up for practice on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, walks through the pit lane during the first day of the ADAC Formula Four preseason tests in Oschersleben, Germany.
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Josef Newgarden, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
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Indy 500 confirmed drivers
David Malukas, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series
When IndyCar announced that Honda and Chevrolet would get chartered entries in 2028 — the year IndyCar is set to debut its first new car since 2012 — IndyCar president Doug Boles said he expected only chartered entries to compete in the series full-time.
“If we limit the number where we are in charters, it’s going to add some value to our team owners, who have invested millions of dollars over time,” Boles said in February. “So really, I think that’s where it’s going to come from. It’s going to come from those teams who have decided to either take on new partners, or when they decide that they’re ready to leave the NTT IndyCar Series, there’s some value and something beyond the assets that’ll allow them to transition to a new team ownership.”
No team has been sold since IndyCar introduced its charter system. Any new team looking to drive in the series full-time would need to partner with an engine manufacturer or purchase one of the 10 existing chartered teams.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar to require a charter for non-Indy 500 races beginning in 2027
