NASCAR moves '27 Daytona 500 to avoid Super Bowl conflict

Field Level Media|published: Wed 22nd October, 12:37 2025

Feb 12, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; Detailed view of the The Harley J Earl trophy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

A future scheduling conflict between the "Super Bowl of NASCAR" and the actual Super Bowl has been resolved.

NASCAR announced Wednesday that the 2027 Daytona 500 will not take place during its traditional Presidents Day weekend slot to avoid going head-to-head with Super Bowl LXI.

The Cup Series' marquee race will move to Sunday, Feb. 21, one week after the NFL's championship game is held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

"It's a very crowded sports landscape in February of '27, including the Super Bowl scheduled for Feb. 14," Frank Kelleher, president of Daytona International Speedway, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal. "The decision was made to move the Daytona 500, to allow for it to stand on its own."

Kelleher said announcing the change 16 months in advance will give fans ample time to make travel plans for "The Great American Race" in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The scheduling conflict arose after the NFL added a 17th game to the regular season schedule in 2021.

"Our fans are the most loyal, and we know many of them make their travel plans over a year in advance for the Great American Race," Kelleher said.

The 2026 Daytona 500 remains on Presidents Day weekend, scheduled for Feb. 15. That's one week after Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

--Field Level Media

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