When is 2026 Indy 500, date, start time? full schedule, TV channel, live stream, race time, Snake Pit, field, Lineup, more.
Indy 500 weekend is one of the biggest and most exciting events in motorsports. In 2026, the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place over Memorial Day weekend, with activities running from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24 at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Here's Sportshistori.com brings Everything you need to know about the 108th race of Indy500 race 2026 at Indiana Speedway, qualifying, practice schedule, start-times, Drivers, Entry List, how to watch live stream, TV Channel details.
When is the 2026 Indy 500?
The 2026 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026. This marks the 110th running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" and takes place over Memorial Day weekend
What time does the Indy 500 starts?
The green flag for the 2026 Indy 500 is set to drop at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
What is the Indy 500 race day schedule?
Sunday, May 24, 2026 Gates Open: 6:00 a.m.
Borg-Warner Trophy March to the Bricks: 8:45 a.m.
Cars to Pit Lane: 9:00 a.m.
Cars to Grid on Front Stretch: 10:30 a.m.
Driver Introductions: 11:47 a.m.
Invocation and National Anthem: 12:18 p.m.
Singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana”: 12:35 p.m.
Green Flag – 2026 Indy 500: 12:45 p.m. ET
What channel is the Indy 500 on May 24?
The 2026 Indy 500 will air live on NBC and USA Network (with NBC carrying the main broadcast).
How can I stream the Indy 500 on May 24?
You can stream the race live on:
Peacock (NBC’s streaming service)
Peacock (NBC’s streaming service)
NBC Sports App
Fubo (with a free trial available)
How can I listen the Indy 500 on?
The race will be broadcast live on SiriusXM IndyCar Radio (Channel 218) and the IMS Radio Network (available on local stations and online).
When does Indy 500 practice start?
Tuesday, May 13: Gates open 8 a.m.-6 p.m., practice 9 a.m.
Wednesday, May 14: Gates open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., practice starts at noon.
Thursday, May 15: Gates open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., practice starts at noon.
Friday, May 16 (Fast Friday): Gates open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., practice starts at noon. Qualifying draw is at 6:15 p.m.
Monday, May 19: Gates open 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; practice starts at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $20-25
When is Indy 500 qualifying?
Qualifying for the 2026 Indy 500 takes place the weekend prior to race week (typically May 16–17, 2026).
Exact times will be confirmed closer to the event.
When is Carb Day at IMS for the Indy 500?
Carb Day is on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Gates Open: 8:00 a.m.
Gates Open: 8:00 a.m.
Final Practice: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pit Stop Challenge: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Carb Day Concert: 4:00 p.m.
When is Legends Day at IMS for the Indy 500?
Legends Day is on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Gates Open: 8:00 a.m.
Gates Open: 8:00 a.m.
Driver Autograph Session: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Drivers’ Meeting: 10:30 a.m.
Indy 500 Festival Parade: 12:00 p.m. (downtown Indianapolis)
Legends Day Concert: 7:00 p.m.
When Does the Indy 500 kick-off, 2026 Race-Day schedule, start times, TV Info.
(all times are ET):
5 a.m.: Garage opens
6 a.m.: Gates open
6:30 a.m.: Tech inspection
9-9:20 a.m.: Cars pushed to pit lane
10:30 a.m.: Cars on the starting grid
11:47 a.m.: Driver introductions
12:20 p.m.: National anthem
12:38 p.m.: Command to start engines, Roger Penske
12:45 p.m.: Green flag for 109th Indy 500, 200 laps on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
TV: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fox (subject to blackout in Indianapolis area)
TV/Stream: NBC and Peacock
How many laps is the Indy 500?
200 laps on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. The track is flat on the straightaways, with gentle 9.2-degree banking in its four turns.
How much does it cost for Cars to enter the Indy 500?
In 2024, there are 27 full-time IndyCar Series cars that require up to $10 million to run for a full season. For cars competing only in the Indy 500, it's believed the cost to in the $1 million-$2 million range.
Is the Indy 500 sold out? How do I get Indy 500 tickets?
Indy 500 2026 tickets are available here. The Speedway doesn't reveal attendance figures, but in recent years the crowd has been estimated at 300,000, though a complete sellout is rare.
2026 Indianapolis 500 general admission tickets for May 25 start at $55, reserved seats at $80.
Who is the honorary starter for the 2026 Indy 500?
The honorary starter for the 2026 Indy 500 has not yet been announced.
Who is singing the national anthem at the 2026 Indy 500?
.... is scheduled to perform the national anthem at 12:24 p.m. ET.
Who is the grand marshal for the 2026 Indy 500?
The Grand Marshal for the 2026 Indy 500 has not yet been announced.
Who is favored to win the Indy 500?
Full list on BetMGM
Favorites: Josef Newgarden, Pato O'Ward and Alex Palou are +700. Scott McLaughlin is +800, and Scott Dixon +1000.
List of Indianapolis 500 past winners
74 drivers from 12 nations, representing five continents, have claimed race wins. Josef Newgarden of the United States won in 2024. The full list of Indy 500 race winners is here.
Latest 2026 Indy 500 weather updates, forecast report.
According to FOX Weather, Sunday's forecast is optimistic. There is a 15% chance of rain on race day as the race starts. Rain chances increase to 30% by later in the afternoon. Any rain should be light and relatively short-lived. Temperatures are expected to reach the low 70s, and a mix of clouds and sun throughout the day.
2026 Indy 500 Snake Pit Lineup, tickets info.
The 109th Indy 500 is scheduled for May 24. American dance producer Illenium will headline the 2024 Indy 500 Snake Pit, joining an international roster of DJs to provide the frenetic, bass-boosted soundtrack to the world's largest single-day sporting event.
English DJ Sammy Virji, Los Angeles-based duo Two Friends, fellow Angeleno DJ Kayzo and Dutch producer Oliver Heldens will also take the infield stage at Turn 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval throughout the morning of May 25 leading up to the race's start early in the afternoon.
Performances begin early in the morning on the stage located in the infield adjacent to Turn 3 of the IMS oval... Tickets available at IMS.com.
All-times in ET
General admission and VIP tickets are available for $50 and $155 at ims.com. The Snake Pit is only open to adults with a valid Indy 500 ticket. A package including general admission for both the race and Snake Pit is on sale for $100.
What is the Indy 500 pace car in 2026?
The official 2026 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X.This is the most advanced Corvette ever produced, featuring a high-output hybrid powertrain with over 1,000 horsepower and advanced all-wheel-drive performance technology. It was specially prepared to lead the field of 33 cars to the green flag on Race Day.
Pace Car Driver
Curt Cignetti, head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers football team, was named the honorary pace car driver. Cignetti led Indiana to a national championship in the 2025 season.The Corvette ZR1X pace car will make its official appearance during the pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Pace Car Driver
Curt Cignetti, head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers football team, was named the honorary pace car driver. Cignetti led Indiana to a national championship in the 2025 season.The Corvette ZR1X pace car will make its official appearance during the pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
2026 Indy 500 Field, Starting Line-up, complete 33-drivers grid
The official 33-car starting grid and field for the 2026 Indy 500 will be set after qualifying on May 16–17, 2026. The current list of entered drivers and full starting lineup will be released closer to the event.
How long does the Indy 500 take?
The INDY race spans 500 miles and consists of 200 laps. On average, the Indy 500 takes approximately 3 hours to complete, give or take 30 minutes, depending on yellow flag incidents.
Helio Castroneves completed the 2021 race at 190.690 mph and in 2 hours, 37 minutes and 19.38 seconds, the fastest in race history.
Four of the past six races have taken between 2:50 and 3 hours. .
Why is the Indy 500 so famous?
The Indy 500 quickly caught fame on after its inaugural race in 1911 as a way to test drivers, engineers and cars, which had been under mass productions for just a few years.
- French auto maker Peugeot joined several U.S. companies by entering cars starting in 1913, and members of the Chevrolet came from Switzerland, founded a car company and won the race in 1920. It has been a destination race since.
Indianapolis 500 milk tradition.
- Indy 500 winners drink milk. Louis Meyer did so first in 1936, asking for buttermilk after crossing the finish line in steamy conditions.
- Drivers celebrated with milk intermittently until the mid 1950s, when milk producers became a race sponsor.
- A gulp from a bottle and a large pour over the winner's head have been a tradition since.
Is Indy faster than NASCAR?
Stock cars can top 200 mph, but they don't reach the speeds Indy cars reach. Alex Bowman earned the pole position at the 2023 Daytona 500 with a lap of 181.686.
Who is the Youngest and Oldest driver to ever win the Indy 500?
The youngest winner of the Indy 500 is Troy Ruttman. He picked up the victory way back in 1952. Ruttman was 22 years and 80 days old.
On the opposite side, Al Unser is the oldest race winner and was 47 years and 360 days old when he won the race in 1987.
Who has won the most pole positions in Indy 500 history?
- Rick Mears won the pole position 6 times (1979, '82, '86, '88, '89 and '91). He won the race from the top spot in 1979, '88 and '91, as well as in 1984 (from the 3rd starting position).
What is the Fastest Indy 500 qualifying speed?
- Arie Luyendyk completed 4 laps averaging 236.986 mph in 1996. At the time, rules dictated the pole position could be earned only on the first day of qualifying.
Top 4 drivers who has won the more titles of Indy 500, history.
Driver -- Years
Helio Castroneves -- 2001, 2002, 2009, 2021
Rick Mears -- 1979, 1984, 1988, 1991
Al Unser Sr. -- 1970, 1971, 1978, 1987
A.J. Foyt -- 1961, 1964, 1967, 1977
Top 5 Drivers with closest finishes winners in Indy 500 history.
Year Winner -- Runner-up -- Margin of victory
1992 -- Al Unser Jr. -- Scott Goodyear - 0.043 seconds
2014 -- Ryan Hunter-Reay -- Helio Casroneves - 0.06 seconds
2006 -- Sam Hornish Jr. -- Marco Andretti - 0.0635 seconds
2015 -- Juan Pablo Montoya -- Will Power - 0.1046 seconds
1982 -- Gordon Johncock -- Rick Mears - 0.16 seconds
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