iRacing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway And IndyCar Sign Multi-year Licensing Agreement

Despite the fact that Motorsport Games have not yet officially confirmed the loss of the IndyCar Series license after the sport moved to terminate the agreement in mid-November, iRacing have announced a new multi-year agreement that will see the sports name and big event return to the service. The deal does not appear to be exclusive.

Notably what this won’t do is simulate an IndyCar championship. There’s also no suggestion that the deal includes any licensing of the drivers, teams or tracks that aren’t already part of the service.

Great to see some sense prevail, and with the non-exclusivity of the deal, the door remains open for someone to bring a full IndyCar game to market.

Press release:

New agreement includes rights to the INDYCAR SERIES and the return of the iRacing Indianapolis 500

January 9, 2024, Chelmsford, MA – iRacing and INDYCAR are pleased to announce a multiyear licensing agreement – officially reuniting the two legendary brands.

The relationship, which dates back more than a dozen years, also includes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – and the return of the hugely popular iRacing Indianapolis 500 – to the gaming format’s Special Events calendar. This annual event has historically drawn thousands of participants, who race in a virtual version of the world’s most iconic race, known for its 200 laps of pure speed at the “Racing Capital of the World.” The community event allows sim racers from around the world to get a taste of what it is like to race at the famous oval at the Brickyard.

The return of a license has been highly anticipated by iRacing members and INDYCAR SERIES fans alike.

“The INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are racing properties that need to be included in iRacing,” said iRacing president Tony Gardner. “There is no better way for fans to experience simracing than on iRacing and whether it’s the INDYCAR SERIES’ Indy 500, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, or IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks, there is nothing like racing at Indianapolis. I am so pleased to be able to bring these events back to the iRacing community.”

In addition to the rebranding of INDYCAR SERIES events on iRacing, members will have access to series content for private events and leagues.

“We are very excited that our most avid gamers and fans will have full access to the INDYCAR SERIES through this licensing agreement with iRacing,” INDYCAR Senior Manager, Esports & Emerging Virtual Experiences Ben Hendricks said. “They are longtime partners, and we look forward to official INDYCAR SERIES racing on iRacing for many years to come.”

The new license agreement between iRacing and INDYCAR includes more provisions than previous iterations, allowing more flexibility to run events and series. Highlights include:

Return of the iRacing Indianapolis 500
INDYCAR SERIES branding of series on iRacing
Multiple leagues to run INDYCAR SERIES events on iRacing
License extension of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The licensing agreement goes into effect immediately and iRacing members will see the rebranding of series, cars, and events over the coming days. Details of the iRacing Indianapolis 500 will be available later this month.