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NASCAR 26 is set to launch in September 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, introducing full cross-platform multiplayer support across all platforms.
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iRacing has officially confirmed cross-platform multiplayer for NASCAR 26. Players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S will be able to race together online. During the announcement, the feature stood out as one of the major reveals alongside the game’s cover presentation.
Its predecessor, NASCAR 25, supported lobbies with up to 40 cars, but its online functionality remained fairly limited compared to other modern racing titles. Matchmaking was absent, with players relying entirely on a server browser. This often resulted in half-filled sessions, inconsistent skill levels, and longer waiting times.
Crossplay directly addresses that issue. Combining the player base across all supported platforms significantly increases the number of active online players at any given time. That also opens the door for a more effective matchmaking system, although iRacing has not officially confirmed whether matchmaking will be implemented in NASCAR 26.
For now, technical details regarding the implementation of crossplay have not been revealed.
The Qualcomm Circuit at Naval Base Coronado will be included as part of the game’s base content rather than being released as paid DLC.
iRacing had previously assisted NASCAR with the design of the circuit and created a version of the track for its own PC simulation platform. The same scan data is expected to carry over into NASCAR 26.
Another newly confirmed feature is the return of post-race victory burnouts, a feature that previously appeared in the NASCAR Heat series developed by the same team.
NASCAR 26 will feature Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports on the cover.
The reveal took place on June 19, 2026 aboard the USS Midway in San Diego. Larson drove the cover car on the flight deck, performing burnouts before presenting the cover art alongside iRacing Studios Vice President Matt Lewis.
The presentation additionally served as the media kickoff for the NASCAR San Diego Race Weekend at Naval Base Coronado.
NASCAR 26 is scheduled to launch in September 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, arriving one month earlier than its predecessor.
An exact release date has not yet been announced. NASCAR 25 launched on October 14, 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, while the PC version arrived on Steam on November 11, 2025.
Details regarding pricing, the complete roster, track count, and additional content remain unknown for now. iRacing has confirmed that more information and feature reveals will follow before launch.
Crossplay was one of the most requested additions following NASCAR 25, and its inclusion could significantly improve the online experience. While questions remain regarding matchmaking and online systems, bringing all players into one shared ecosystem is an important step forward. If additional features support that foundation, NASCAR 26 could deliver a much stronger multiplayer experience than its predecessor.
