Standardbred Canada has confirmed the host tracks and dates for the 2026 National Driving Championship (NDC) and Regional Driving Championships (RDC). 

The 2026 National Driving Championship will determine one of Canada’s representatives at the next World Driving Championship (WDC), which Canada is hosting in 2027. James MacDonald was the winner of the 2025 WDC. With approval of the International Trotting Association, he would receive an automatic bye into the 2027 event.

2026 National Driving Championship

• Sunday, July 26 - Clinton Raceway, Clinton, Ont.

2026 Regional Driving Championships 

• Tuesday, May 05 - Ontario Regional Driving Championship - The Raceway at Western Fair District; London, Ont.
• Saturday, May 23 - Western Regional Driving Championship - Century Downs; Calgary, Alta.
• Sunday, June 14 - Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship - Hippodrome 3R; Trois-Rivières, Que.
• Tuesday, June 23 - Atlantic Regional Driving Championship - Red Shores Summerside, Summerside, P.E.I.

Regional events will feature up to nine drivers who will compete in a series of races. Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two point earners will advance to the National Driving Championship. 
Standardbred Canada in conjunction with its association members will confirm the drivers for this year’s National Driving Championship in the coming weeks.

General Information

Since 2007, Standardbred Canada has been using a new format to determine Canada's representative for the World Driving Championship.

The concept behind the National Driving Championship is to bring regional representatives together to compete in a one-day championship that will determine Canada's representative to the World Driving Championship.

Traditionally determined by a formula that included earnings, wins and UDRS rating, the Canadian rep will now have to beat out some of the country's finest drivers and earn the National Driving Championship title.

This format includes one-day regional championships where the top two drivers advance to the national championship.

Past Winners of the National Driving Championship:

2007 - Red Shores (Gilles Barrieau)
2009 - Fraser Downs (Brad Forward)
2011 - Red Shores (Jody Jamieson) 
2014 - Red Shores (Jody Jamieson) 
2016 - Raceway at Western Fair (Brandon Campbell)
2018 - Grand River Raceway (Doug McNair)
2022 - Century Mile (Doug McNair)
2024 - Hippodrome 3R (James MacDonald)

World Driving Championship – Canada’s Champions

Canadian drivers have won the World Driving Championship on six occasions. 

1970 - Herve Filion 
1999 - Sylvain Filion
2001 - Jody Jamieson
2011 - Jody Jamieson
2017 - James MacDonald
2025 - James MacDonald