The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is nearly here.
From how to watch the race to the starting lineup to how to handle the traffic around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we have you covered. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Indy 500.
When is the Indianapolis 500?
The 110th Indianapolis 500 is May 24, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Where to watch the Indianapolis 500?
Pre-race coverage begins at 10 a.m. ET, Sunday, May 24, 2026, on Fox. Race coverage begins at 12:30 p.m., with the green flag scheduled for 12:45 p.m.
How can I stream the Indy 500?
Watch the Indianapolis 500 at FoxSports.com and on the Fox Sports app.
How can I listen to 2026 Indianapolis 500 on the radio?
IndyCar Nation is on SiriusXM Channel 218, IndyCar Live and the IndyCar Radio Network (check affiliates for each race).
2026 Indy 500 starting lineup
Printable 2026 Indy 500 starting lineup grid
IndyStar staff’s Indianapolis 500 predictions
Our motorsports reporter, Zion Brown, picked David Malukas to win this year’s Indy 500. Who did the rest of the staff pick? Find out here.
2026 Indy 500 schedule: What is the Indianapolis 500 schedule of events?
Gates are open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Sunday, May 24, 2026. Here is a complete list of events on race day.
Indy 500 weather forecast
The National Weather Service on Wednesday is predicting a 60% chance of rain for Sunday’s race . Showers are likely throughout the day and there’s a possibility of a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy, according to NWS’s latest report, and temperatures will hit a high of around 81 degrees.
Where to park for the Indy 500
People must buy race day parking at the track in advance, and spots are sold out for 2026. Those who have purchased parking already can find directions to their specific lots at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/parking.
Best ways to travel to the Indy 500 if you don’t want to drive
Ride a bike: Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Central Indiana Cycling have put together a race day ride. Participants will depart from The Amp at 16 Tech at either 7:30 or 9:30 a.m., roll out behind a police escort and park their bikes inside gated and monitored corrals just outside Gates 1 and 2. Cyclists can return to The Amp after the race in guided ride groups. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 the day of for adults. Children ages 15 and younger ride free with a registered adult. Register and find departure times at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/event-info/bike-to-the-500.
Ride the bus: Routes 10, 15 and 25 usually take passengers to the vicinity of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Buses are affected by race day road closures, so plan for an early trip to be sure you reach your destination on time. Check indygo.net for the most up-to-date information and routes.
If you’re traveling to the race from outside the Indianapolis bus route, check out Rally, a chartered bus rideshare program that will book a bus when enough riders request a certain route. Join confirmed bus bookings and request new ones at rally.co/indy-500/. Round trip tickets from Carmel or Broad Ripple, for example, are $85.
Rideshare and taxi: The drop-off and pickup spot will be at the corner of 10th and Polco streets.
Shuttles: Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s round-trip shuttle services are sold out for 2026. For more information, visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/transportation-services.
Indy 500 traffic: Road closures on Indianapolis 500 race day
Find Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s traffic map at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/directions. Find more details on the closures from the town of Speedway at tinyurl.com/5n6dsxpt.
Read our story on Indy 500 traffic here.
The best route to take when you leave the race
Law enforcement officials will direct traffic after the race. Vehicles won’t be able to leave parking lots until pedestrian traffic clears, which can take about one to two hours, according to the speedway. Find the exit map for your parking lot at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/directions.
New food items at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Indy 500 weekend
The IMS and food and beverage partner Aramark have unveiled new concessions items available at the track from now through race day, May 24. The menu includes two new dishes and a handful of drinks available Friday through Sunday, plus a lineup of daily specials available on select dates.
The Pit Stop Dog features a beef Oscar Mayer sausage (you can see the motorized version compete in the second annual Wienie 500 on Carb Day, May 22) topped with chili and cheese.
The Slaw Dog, crafted in honor of the 2025 Wienie 500 winner (who beat out Chi Dog, New York Dog, Chili Dog, Seattle Dog and the since-relegated Sonoran Dog), the Slaw Dog sports a vinegar-based coleslaw and chili sauce atop an Oscar Mayer beef tube.
See the full list here.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti will drive the Indy 500 pace car
After leading IU to a 16-0 season and national championship, Curt Cignetti will drive the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. Cignetti will lead the field of drivers in the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X to begin the race.
Caitlin Clark will be in attendance at the 2026 Indianapolis 500
Indiana Fever star guard Caitlin Clark will serve as the Indy 500 grand marshal.
Rob Gronkowski, Zedd will headline the Indy 500 Snake Pit
Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski will serve as the Snake Pit grand marshal. German DJ Zedd will lead the EDM party at Turn 3, with electronic artists Crankdat, Wooli, it’s murph and Wax Motif rounding out the lineup.
Carb Day 2026 schedule at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Carb Day will take place on Friday, May 22. Gates are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here is the full schedule:
When is the Indy 500 Festival Parade?
The 2026 Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade will happen on Saturday, May 23, in downtown Indianapolis. The race-weekend tradition this year features 13 marching bands from across the country, floats, balloons, celebrities and the 33 IndyCar drivers who will compete in the Indianapolis 500 the following day.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Complete Indy 500 guide to IMS, from traffic to food and predictions
Reporting by Evan Frank, Scott Horner, Domenica Bongiovanni, Heather Bushman, Bradley Hohulin, Karl Schneider, Cheryl V. Jackson, Chris Sims, Zion Brown and Katie Wiseman, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
