The International Hot Rod Association has confirmed a revised schedule for its 2026 F1 National Championship Series, removing the planned April round in Biloxi, Mississippi, and announcing that an inaugural World Championship will be staged at a date and location to be confirmed.
The change follows a record-breaking season opener at the Bradenton Area River Regatta in February, which drew a record crowd and more than tripled competitor numbers compared to previous years.
“We want to thank the racers, teams, fans, and staff who made the Bradenton event such a tremendous success. The level of participation and fan support shows that F1 powerboat racing is entering an exciting new era, and we are proud to be leading that growth.”
Tim Seebold, IHRA F1 Director
Biloxi Postponed to 2027
The Biloxi, Mississippi round, originally scheduled for April 17-19, has been postponed to 2027 due to logistical considerations and present organisational restrictions. IHRA confirmed that plans remain in place to bring the series to the Gulf Coast in the future.
World Championship Announced for Inaugural Season
IHRA also confirmed that a World Champion will be crowned during the inaugural season. The IHRA F1 World Championship event will be held at a date and location to be announced in the coming weeks.
Revised 2026 Schedule
| Dates | Event | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20-21 | Round 1 – Bradenton Area River Regatta | Bradenton, FL | Completed |
| May 1-3 | Round 2 – Port Neches, TX | Port Neches, TX | Upcoming |
| May 22-24 | Round 3 – Shreveport-Bossier, LA | Shreveport-Bossier, LA | Upcoming |
| Jun 5-7 | Round 4 – Marble Falls, TX | Marble Falls, TX | Upcoming |
| Jul 17-19 | Round 5 – Alton, IL | Alton, IL | Upcoming |
| Jul 31-Aug 2 | Round 6 – Windsor, CO | Windsor, CO | Upcoming |
| TBA | IHRA F1 World Championship | TBA | TBA |
Additional information regarding race weekends, registration, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
