Introduction: A Seismic Shift in Canadian Motorsport
It was the sound of summer in Toronto for nearly four decades. A high-pitched, visceral scream echoed off the glass towers of the city’s skyline. It reverberated across the waters of Lake Ontario. The “Roar on the Shore,” as it was affectionately known, was more than just a race; it was an institution. The Grand Prix of Toronto started in 1986. Since then, it has been a cornerstone of the North American open-wheel racing calendar. Bobby Rahal took the inaugural checkered flag. It is also one of Ontario’s largest annual sporting events. As one of the longest-standing street races in the world, it is second only to Long Beach. The bumpy, unforgiving circuit at Exhibition Place became a prestigious and challenging stop for legends of the sport.
But on September 3, 2025, that tradition came to an abrupt end. The Canadian motorsport community was shocked by an announcement. Event promoter Green Savoree Racing Promotions (GSRP) confirmed that starting in 2026, the race would be leaving its historic home. The engines would not be silenced. They would be relocated. They will roar to life on a new street circuit in the suburban heart of Markham. This change comes under a new multi-year agreement.
The move prompted immediate questions from fans, media, and stakeholders. Why leave a venue with such a rich history? Why Markham? Racing purists had their questions too. Why was the legendary Canadian Tire Motorsport Park—a world-class permanent facility just an hour away—not even in the running? The answer is not a simple one. The relocation of the Toronto Indy was not a sudden departure. It was the culmination of mounting pressures. These pressures made its downtown home increasingly untenable. Additionally, there was a compelling strategic opportunity that made Markham an ideal new partner. This analysis will dissect three critical narratives defining this seismic shift. First, the “push” factors forced the race out of Toronto. Second, the “pull” factors made Markham the clear choice for its future. Finally, there are the often-misunderstood business realities. They explain why a celebrated track like Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was never a realistic contender.
Part I: A Foundation on Shaky Ground: The Push from Toronto
The 2026 FIFA World Cup took over BMO Field and the surrounding Exhibition Place grounds. This action was the immediate catalyst for the Indy’s departure. This takeover was unavoidable. However, it was merely the final straw. The event’s foundation in Toronto had been eroding for years, weakened by contractual instability and the venue’s own shifting priorities.
The Instability of One-Year Deals
Stability is paramount for a major international event promoter like Green Savoree Racing Promotions. They operate premier motorsports festivals across North America. Yet, in Toronto, that is precisely what was missing. Jeff Atkinson is the president of the event. He revealed a critical vulnerability in the relationship with the city. He said, “We’ve been on one-year deals at Exhibition Place going into the 2025 race”. The Toronto City Council meeting minutes confirm this precarious arrangement. They show the approval of successive one-year agreements for the 2024 and 2025 events.
Operating on such a short-term basis presents a significant business risk. It severely hampers the ability to secure lucrative sponsorship agreements. These agreements are multi-year and provide financial bedrock for an event of this scale. Furthermore, it discourages long-term capital investment in event-specific infrastructure, such as upgraded grandstands, hospitality suites, and fan amenities. This year-to-year uncertainty led to a business environment. Growth was stifled by the constant need to renegotiate the event’s very existence.
The FIFA World Cup, therefore, was not just a logistical problem; it was a strategic opportunity. It forced GSRP to look for a 2026 venue. In doing so, they solved the larger, pre-existing issue of contractual instability. Atkinson’s subsequent comment is perhaps the most telling in this entire saga: “Moving forward, we don’t want to progress annually. We want to build a foundation.” The search for a new home aimed to find a partner who would commit to multiple years. This was something that Toronto was unwilling to offer.
A Venue Under Pressure: Development and Deterioration
Beyond the contractual issues, the physical landscape of Exhibition Place was becoming increasingly hostile to the race. The venue itself is in the midst of a profound transformation, and the Indy was becoming an operational outlier. The City of Toronto is undertaking a comprehensive Master Plan for the 197-acre site. The vision is focused on enhancing public parkland. It also aims at preserving heritage and improving year-round connectivity. The venue’s own 2022-2026 Strategic Plan echoes this. It aims to solidify its position as a premier destination for conventions and exhibitions. Additionally, it seeks to animate the site 365 days a year.
Within this long-term vision, a temporary street race fits awkwardly. It involves weeks of disruptive setup and tear-down. There are concrete barriers and road closures. The symptoms of this misalignment were already showing. At the 2025 Grand Prix, several top drivers publicly aired concerns. Kyle Kirkwood and Will Power were among those who voiced “grievances about Toronto’s track conditions.” They specifically cited a “predominant bump” near Turn 3. This part of Lake Shore Boulevard is directly affected by ongoing construction. The controversial Therme Spa and waterpark project at Ontario Place is the cause. This is a clear sign that the race’s physical footprint is being compromised by larger development priorities.
Furthermore, the race was literally running out of room. Atkinson confirmed that organizers “ran out of space at Exhibition Place.” They actually needed to add seats, but were unable to do so. This sentiment is shared by other major tenants. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), for example, has voiced concerns. Its operational space is being squeezed by projects like an expansion of Hotel X and new parking structures. GSRP was likely reading the writing on the wall. Even without the World Cup conflict, the long-term viability of the Honda Indy at Exhibition Place was increasingly in doubt. The venue’s priorities shifted. This rendered the iconic race an inconvenient tenant in its own home.
Part II: The Markham Blueprint: A Strategic Relocation
GSRP conducted a wide-ranging search for a new venue. They looked at locations “from Niagara Falls all the way through to Oshawa to Ottawa.” However, all roads ultimately led to Markham. The Toronto suburb presented a compelling blueprint for the event’s future. It was built on a foundation of corporate synergy. The suburb also benefited from municipal enthusiasm and a data-driven approach to fan engagement.
The Perfect Partner: Corporate and Municipal Synergy
The strategic advantages of Markham as a host city are undeniable. Honda Canada, a key partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, has its national headquarters in Markham. The race’s title sponsor, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association, has deep roots in the region. This fosters a strong level of corporate alignment. The event is placed directly in the sponsor’s backyard. It offers unmatched opportunities for local brand activation and engagement.
This corporate appeal was matched by fervent municipal support. Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti championed the move. He stated, “Markham is ready to build on its strong sports legacy. It will offer a new home where this celebrated summer tradition can thrive.” He is proud of his team’s ability to bring the deal to completion quickly. It was described as “across the finish line in just a matter of months.” This proactive and efficient partnership stands in stark contrast to the passive, year-to-year relationship with Toronto. For a promoter, a welcoming city that expedites permitting and logistics represents a massive operational and financial advantage. Markham did not simply agree to host the race. It actively pursued this opportunity. This demonstrated a level of political will that promised the long-term stability GSRP was seeking. As Atkinson noted, “It really all came back to Markham. The city was very excited, as were we, to host the event here”.
Designing a Modern Fan Experience
The move to Markham offers a rare opportunity. It is the chance to design a street circuit from a clean slate. This allows correcting the known flaws of the previous venue. The new 12-turn, 3.52-kilometre circuit, designed by the renowned Tony Cotman, is longer and features a unique double-sided pit lane. Atkinson specifically highlighted that the new layout will provide “lots of great sightlines.” Importantly, it will offer more space for fans. This change directly addresses the capacity constraints that plagued the event at Exhibition Place. The location in Markham’s downtown core also offers existing infrastructure. There are numerous hotels and restaurants. This infrastructure helps create a comprehensive festival experience for attendees.
Logistics and Audience Alignment
Perhaps the most compelling argument for the move is rooted in market data. A common assumption is that a downtown Toronto location offers superior accessibility. However, GSRP’s internal analysis revealed a surprising truth. Atkinson stated that after looking at attendance numbers, the organization found that most of its audience has an easier commute. This commute is to downtown Markham.
This shows the demographic reality of the Greater Toronto Area. Population growth in the surrounding “905” region has been explosive. Over four decades, the Indy’s core ticket-buying audience has likely shifted from downtown residents. Now suburban families make up the audience. For them, navigating Toronto’s core is a significant barrier. The new circuit’s design cleverly integrates this reality. It will be built partially on the Unionville GO property. Dedicated train service will run for fans throughout the race weekend. This creates a seamless public transit option tailored to a regional audience. The move to Markham is not a retreat from the city. It is a calculated, data-driven advance toward the heart of the event’s modern customer base.
| Metric | Toronto (Exhibition Place) | Markham (Downtown Core) |
| Location | Downtown Toronto Lakeshore | Suburban Downtown |
| Circuit Length | 2.874 km | 3.52 km |
| Turns | 11 | 12 |
| Key Features | Iconic Lake Shore Blvd. straightaway | Integration with Unionville GO Transit; Split pit road |
| Promoter Contract | One-Year Agreements | Multi-Year Agreement |
| Stated Capacity | “Ran out of space,” unable to add seats | “More space for fans,” “lots of great sightlines” |
Part III: The Ghost of MOSPORT: Why a Racing Legend Wasn’t the Answer
One name invariably surfaced among racing purists whenever the Toronto Indy’s future was debated. It was Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP), the legendary facility formerly known as MOSPORT. CTMP has a storied history of hosting Formula 1 and Indy car (USAC) races. Its daunting, high-speed road course made it seem like the logical alternative. However, a closer look at the safety, financial, and business realities reveals why CTMP was never a viable option.
The Non-Starter: Safety and Cost Prohibitions
The primary barrier to hosting a modern NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at CTMP is safety. The track, beloved for its old-school character, lacks the modern safety infrastructure required for today’s high-downforce, high-speed open-wheel cars. Knowledgeable fans and insiders on online forums often highlight the “lack of runoff and catch fencing.” They also discuss the risk that dramatic elevation changes could cause cars to “lift off and crash”. While CTMP holds a respectable FIA Grade 2 license, this is insufficient for IndyCar’s specific requirements. These requirements are fundamentally different from and often exceed those of other sanctioning bodies. The cost to upgrade the circuit with sufficient runoff areas would be significant. Modern debris fencing and other safety features are needed to meet IndyCar’s standards. It would run into the “millions of dollars.” This capital investment is one that no party appeared willing to make.
The Core Conflict: The Business Model Mismatch
The most crucial reason CTMP was overlooked lies in the fundamental identity of the event itself. The Honda Indy is not promoted as a pure motorsport competition; it is explicitly marketed as a “world-class motorsports festival”. Its business model focuses on creating a temporary, high-impact urban event. This event draws a broad audience of casual fans, families, and corporate clients. Street circuits excel at this. They bring the spectacle directly to a population center. They leverage its built-in hospitality infrastructure and media attention.
This is not a new dilemma. In 2015, a temporary move to CTMP was considered due to the Pan Am Games. A Canadian motorsport journalist analyzed this risk. They concluded that moving the race out of the downtown core would be a “huge blow to Canadian racing”. The reasoning was clear: the event’s success relies on its proximity to the “corporate hub of this country.” Sponsors and media attend because it is a major event in Toronto and, above all, because “it is convenient”.
The economic model of the race is deeply intertwined with its urban setting. It generates an estimated $40 to $50 million in annual impact through tourism, hospitality, and local services. A remote, permanent track like CTMP, located an hour from the city, operates on a different model. It is often reliant on camping. This model brings a more dedicated but smaller niche of fans to a rural location. A move to CTMP would have required GSRP to abandon its proven and successful urban festival model. Choosing another street circuit in Markham was the only way to preserve the event’s commercial identity. It also maintained the business strategy.
Conclusion: A New Chapter and a Hard Truth for Motorsports
The departure of the Honda Indy from Toronto’s waterfront was the result of multiple factors. It was not due to a single issue. The decision was a strategic business pivot. The promoter needed long-term stability. One-year contracts could not provide this. It was a practical response to the realities of a historic venue. The venue’s future development priorities were no longer aligned with the needs of a major motorsports festival. Most importantly, they seized a perfect opportunity with Markham. The city offered an enthusiastic partnership. It provided deep corporate synergy with the event’s title sponsor. Markham’s location was strategically aligned with the race’s core audience.
The decision to build a new street circuit in Markham reveals a fundamental truth about top-tier motorsports promotion. This choice was made rather than utilize a revered permanent track like CTMP. For major events seeking broad appeal, the “urban festival” model’s commercial viability frequently prevails. It offers direct access to corporate partners, media centers, and a large casual fanbase. This often outweighs the racing purity of a dedicated road course. The venue must serve the event’s business model first.
The new Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham has the potential. It may write a new chapter for open-wheel racing in Canada. It could also be very successful. The event has a purpose-built temporary circuit. It enjoys strong municipal and corporate backing. Additionally, its location is tailored to its modern audience. It represents a calculated vision for the future of such events. The iconic “Roar on the Shore” is now a cherished memory. However, the engines will roar again. This signals not an end, but a strategic new beginning for IndyCar in Canada.
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