As the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season rolls on, talks about the schedule for the next year have been a hot topic in the community. It is set to be one of the most interesting schedule releases with the introduction of new TV deals and streaming partners. Moreover, there’s a lot of noise surrounding NASCAR’s plan to organize and execute a points-paying race internationally.

Mexico City in the south and Montreal up north are the two rumored venues that are frontrunners to host a potential Cup race in 2025. Although there has been no official announcement or confirmation, NASCAR did provide a positive update regarding their plans to go international.

More road course races to the NASCAR schedule in 2025?

Moving forward, NASCAR wants to attract the attention of new race fans and get them introduced to stock car racing. The Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum and the Chicago Street Race are a few examples of their recent efforts. More importantly, these are the new markets where NASCAR has yet to stamp its footprint, so the primary objective is to get as many eyes attracted to the sport as possible.

While they’ve tapped the domestic markets, their ambitions are centered on an international race. And going by the words of Chad Seigler, NASCAR’s VP/ Chief International Officer, they are close to securing a date for an international Cup Series race. “We’re still working on the 2025 schedule. We feel like we are getting closer every day to it. I don’t think it’s an issue of, Are we going to eventually get the Cup Series outside the US? It’s more the matter of when.”

This season’s schedule includes five road course races. COTA, Sonoma, Chicago, Watkins Glen, and Roval. With these events expected to return to the schedule next year, an international race, which is expected to be a road race, will lead to the exit of the traditional oval event. Now, a majority of traditional fans adore oval racing, and therefore, a move to facilitate the international race might be a bitter pill for them to swallow.

While the entirety of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule isn’t out yet, here are a few events and racetracks that are confirmed to retain their spots.

All confirmed dates for the 2025 Cup schedule so far

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For long, there were speculations surrounding the season finale race, but those were soon put to bed as NASCAR confirmed that they would be back in Phoenix for the championship weekend in 2025. Moreover, marquee events like the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 were also confirmed, along with their TV partners.

One of the unique changes to next year’s schedule is the in-season tournament, which is set to kick off on June 28, 2025, at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Southern 500 at Darlington is also expected to retain its place in the schedule for 2025. Meanwhile, Worldwide Technology Raceway has also confirmed their return to the schedule, but no dates are confirmed as of yet. Not to forget, NASCAR has signed a deal with Chicago for the street race that runs for three years. So they will be obliged to respect the terms and return to the Windy City next year.

However, the likes of Richmond Raceway, Iowa Speedway, or a surprise oval race could lose their dates to accommodate the blockbuster International Cup race.