IndyCar fans watching the FIFA World Cup are likely to recognize several familiar venues. The streets surrounding five World Cup stadiums have previously hosted IndyCar races. Stadiums have always been popular locations for temporary street courses, because they offer parking lots large enough to accommodate a motorsports paddock. Here's a look at every World Cup stadium with an IndyCar history.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

The most recent World Cup venue to host the IndyCar Series is AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington was held on the streets surrounding the home of the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) this past March. The event marked the return of IndyCar racing to the Dallas–Fort Worth area after the race at Texas Motor Speedway was dropped from the schedule after the 2023 season.

The inaugural race was won by Kyle Kirkwood, who made a late pass on Alex Palou to take the victory. The Grand Prix of Arlington will return to the IndyCar calendar for its second edition next March.

AT&T Stadium will host nine FIFA World Cup matches: five group-stage matches and four knockout-stage matches.

NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas

The name "NRG Stadium" may not immediately ring a bell for the average IndyCar fan, but "Reliant Stadium" probably will. The streets surrounding the stadium hosted four editions of the Grand Prix of Houston. The home of the Houston Texans (NFL) first welcomed a Champ Car race in 2006, followed by a second edition in 2007.

Following the reunification of the Champ Car World Series and the Indy Racing League, the event disappeared from the calendar. It returned in 2013 with Shell as the title sponsor, but the revival proved short-lived, as the race was again discontinued after just two editions.

NRG Stadium will host seven FIFA World Cup matches: five group-stage matches and two knockout-stage matches.

BMO Field in Toronto, Canada

The FIFA World Cup had by far the largest impact on this year's Honda Indy Toronto, which had been held at Exhibition Place since 1986, with the street course running past BMO Field. Partly because of the World Cup, the race was moved to nearby Markham for the first time this year.

Another reason for relocating the event was the ongoing redevelopment of Exhibition Place. The pit lane had previously been relocated due to the construction of a new hotel and additional redevelopment projects are planned. As a result, IndyCar's nearly 40-year run in downtown Toronto has come to an end.

BMO Field is the home of Toronto FC (Canadian Major League Soccer) and will host five group-stage matches and one knockout-stage match during the FIFA World Cup.

BC Place in Vancouver, Canada

Going back a little further in time brings us to the Molson Indy Vancouver, a CART race that was held on the streets surrounding BC Place from 1990 through 2004. From 1990 through 1997, BC Place was located inside the track layout, but beginning in 1998 the track was extensively redesigned and the stadium was no longer enclosed by the track.

The race generated frequent complaints from local residents over noise and traffic congestion. Following the 2004 event, the race was officially removed from the calendar because it was no longer considered financially viable. In addition, the site would later be redeveloped as part of the Olympic Village for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

BC Place is home to Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Canadian Major League Soccer). During the FIFA World Cup, Vancouver will host seven matches: five group-stage matches and two knockout-stage matches.

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Many IndyCar fans may not immediately recognize MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as a former IndyCar venue. Older fans, however, will probably remember the Meadowlands Grand Prix. From 1984 through 1991, the race was held on the roads surrounding Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

Despite a prize fund that reached $1 million thanks to title sponsor Marlboro, the race never became a financial success because of disappointing attendance. The two different layouts used over the years also received heavy criticism from the drivers, as the track ran almost entirely through parking lots and was extremely tight.

Giants Stadium was demolished in 2010 and replaced by the current MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets (both NFL teams). MetLife Stadium will host eight FIFA World Cup matches: five group-stage matches, two knockout-stage matches and the final.

Formula 1 track at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida

Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins (NFL), has never hosted an IndyCar race, but it is the venue for the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. Earlier this year, the stadium field once again served as the Formula 1 paddock during the event. Miami will host four group-stage matches, two knockout-stage matches and the third-place match during the FIFA World Cup.

Long Beach IndyCar track during the 2028 Olympic Games

After the FIFA World Cup, the spotlight will shift to the Long Beach IndyCar track during the 2028 Olympic Games:

The Long Beach Convention Center (located in the middle of the track) will host the shooting events.

The parking lot of the Long Beach Convention Center (the IndyCar paddock) will be transformed into a temporary aquatics and climbing venue for artistic swimming, water polo, and sport climbing.

The Long Beach Arena, adjacent to the Long Beach Convention Center, will host all handball competitions.

Alamitos Beach, which borders the track, will be transformed into the venue for beach volleyball.