INDYCAR returns to consoles with official video game from iRacing Studios in 2026

iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations announced on Tuesday a long-term licensing agreement to develop standalone INDYCAR video games. The first game will arrive in the second half of 2026 for PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam, breaking a gap of over two decades on consoles.

This announcement ends an unusually long period without digital representation for one of the premier American motorsport series. INDYCAR has not had a dedicated presence on consoles since the Papyrus Racing Games titles of the nineties.

Tony Gardner, president of iRacing, confirmed that development has already begun. "INDYCAR fans have been asking for a standalone console game for a long time," he stated. The project will be handled by a dedicated team within iRacing Studios.The collapse that opened the opportunity

Photo By INDYCAR

The absence of INDYCAR on consoles was not accidental. In 2021, the series signed an exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games that removed iRacing from the equation. This decision deprived iRacing of the right to host the official virtual Indy 500, an event that had attracted thousands of participants annually.

Motorsport Games promised an INDYCAR game for 2023. However, the company faced financial problems that led to the suspension of development. By November 2023, INDYCAR had terminated the contract, citing the "failure to meet certain commitments."

The cancellation of the project created an immediate opportunity for iRacing. In January 2024, the parties signed a new multi-year contract that restored iRacing's full access to the INDYCAR intellectual property, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Papyrus and the historical connection

The relationship between iRacing and INDYCAR dates back more than three decades. Papyrus Racing Games, iRacing's predecessor, created some of the most influential racing simulators in history: Indianapolis 500: The Simulation (1989), IndyCar Racing (1993), and IndyCar Racing II (1995).

These games established many of the standards that still define the genre. Driving physics, laser-scanned track modeling, and the integration of real race data have their roots in those early Papyrus titles.

The 2026 game will use iRacing Studios' Orontes engine, an enhanced version of the technology that powers its main simulator. It will include a multi-tier career mode, licensed drivers from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone, and online multiplayer capabilities.

McLaughlin's involvement

Scott McLaughlin, driver for Team Penske, will collaborate on the development. McLaughlin, who moved to INDYCAR in 2021 from Australian Supercars, has won seven races and established himself as a frequent iRacing user.

"It's an honor to work with a team that has developed such incredible products to deliver the first dedicated INDYCAR game in a long time," commented McLaughlin. His involvement reflects a growing trend of direct collaboration between professional drivers and game developers.

NASCAR 25 and the new direction

The INDYCAR game adds to an expanding portfolio. NASCAR 25, scheduled for October 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, includes multiple series: Cup, Xfinity, Craftsman Truck, and ARCA Menards.

"Our company has grown substantially in recent years with the addition of new development teams and studios," explained Gardner. "Our INDYCAR game will benefit from this growth, as it will be the sole focus of one of these teams."

The move towards standalone games marks a strategic shift for iRacing, which for years focused exclusively on its PC-based subscription simulation platform. The new releases aim to reach broader audiences without abandoning the technical precision that has defined the company.

J. Douglas Boles, president of INDYCAR, described the partnership as natural. "The most competitive racing on the planet deserves a dedicated and widely available gaming experience. iRacing Studios is the ideal partner for us, reliable and known to our core fans."