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Month of May Schedule

The 110th Indianapolis 500 takes place Sunday, May 24, 2026 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All times Eastern (ET). Exact session times subject to official confirmation.

⚠ Schedule Note

The official 2026 Month of May schedule is expected to be confirmed by IndyCar in early 2026. Times below reflect the typical structure from recent years. Check IndyCar.com for the official schedule as it becomes available.

Opening Week — May 9–13 (Practice Days)
Sat, May 9
Opening Day Practice
The first chance for all 33+ entries to get on track together at IMS. Teams run cautiously early in the session as engineers collect baseline data on the new surface conditions. Rookies must complete mandatory orientation laps at progressively increasing speeds before they can run at full pace.
Sun, May 10
Practice Day 2
Teams push harder as setups stabilize. Look for early top speed runs as engineers gather data for qualifying. Rookies complete their orientation programs.
Mon, May 11 – Wed, May 13
Practice Days 3–5
The quieter middle of the week. Teams refine aerodynamic packages and dial in qualifying setups. The "fast Friday" tradition — bumped engine boost specifically for qualifying — begins on the Friday session before qualifying weekend.
Qualifying Weekend — May 16–17
Sat, May 16 — Morning
Practice (Qualifying Boost)
A final practice session before qualifying begins. Engines run at the elevated boost level (approximately 1.5 bar vs. the race boost of 1.3 bar) that is permitted only for qualifying. Expect several cars to break 230 mph.
Sat, May 16 — Noon ET
Pole Day — Qualifying Begins
All cars attempt to qualify. Each car makes a four-lap qualifying run; the average speed of those four laps determines the grid position. The line of cars at the entry to pit lane — and the strategy of when to run — creates genuine drama throughout the afternoon.
Sat, May 16 — ~5:30 PM ET
Fast Nine Shootout
The nine fastest qualifiers return for a single-lap shootout. The results of the shootout — not the morning session — determine the top nine grid positions including pole. A car that qualified fastest in the morning could still start 9th if it struggles in the shootout. Television gold.
Sun, May 17 — Noon ET
Last Row Qualifying — "Bump Day"
Any remaining cars that haven't yet qualified attempt to make the field. The three slowest cars from Pole Day occupy the last row — spots 31, 32, and 33. If a car on this day posts a speed faster than one of the last-row cars, that car is "on the bubble" and can be bumped. The window closes at the end of the session. Careers have ended on Bump Day.
Race Week Build-Up — May 19–21
Tue–Thu, May 19–21
Practice Sessions
Teams switch from qualifying setups to race setups — a significant reconfiguration, as the aerodynamic balance required for oval racing in traffic is very different from the low-drag qualifying configuration. Engineers evaluate tire wear and fuel consumption over long runs.
Carb Day — Friday, May 22
Fri, May 22 — Morning
Final Practice
The last chance for teams to work on the race setup before the car is sealed for scrutineering. Any unresolved issues — a handling balance that's not right, a driver concern, a pit stop procedure question — gets addressed here. After this session, no significant car changes are permitted.
Fri, May 22 — Afternoon
Pit Stop Challenge
A live pit crew competition on the pit lane. Teams race against the clock (and each other) to execute a four-tire stop as fast as possible. Top pit crews regularly complete stops under 9 seconds. A strong showing here is a morale boost for the crew heading into race day.
Fri, May 22 — Evening
Carb Day Concerts
A tradition since the 1990s: a major live music concert on the infield. Attendance regularly reaches 100,000+ for Carb Day alone. The festival atmosphere is one of the most unique experiences in American motorsport.
Race Day — Sunday, May 24, 2026
Morning
Pit Lane Open & Driver Introductions
Fans fill the grandstands from early morning. Driver introductions typically take place around 10:30 AM ET — all 33 drivers are introduced on the main straight as the crowd builds to a roar.
~11:30 AM ET
Pre-Race Ceremonies
"Back Home Again in Indiana" is performed on the main straight. The balloon release. The national anthem. The Purdue Marching Band. The military flyover. The Indy 500 ceremony is one of the most elaborate pre-race traditions in American sports.
~Noon ET
🏁 110TH INDIANAPOLIS 500
"Drivers and ladies, start your engines." The most famous four words in American motorsport. Live on NBC (flag-to-flag) and Peacock. Approximately 3 hours of racing, depending on caution periods.

How to Watch

The Indy 500 is one of the best-covered events in American motorsport.

📺
NBC

Flag-to-flag coverage on free TV. The Indy 500 airs nationally on NBC, making it one of the few major motorsport events that doesn't require a cable subscription or streaming service to watch in full. The best entry point for new fans.

📷
Peacock

Peacock streams the race live alongside NBC. For practice and qualifying sessions not on NBC, Peacock provides live streaming of most Month of May sessions. Requires a Peacock subscription but some sessions may be free.

🎧
INDYCAR Radio

Free live radio commentary via the INDYCAR app and website. Provides lap-by-lap coverage, driver communications, and pit lane reporting throughout every session of the month. Essential for following multiple stories at once.

🌎 International Viewers

International coverage varies by region. The INDYCAR app provides coverage in many markets. Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports Australia, and other regional broadcasters also carry Indy 500 coverage. Check INDYCAR.com for your local broadcast partner.

Attending in Person

Seeing the Indy 500 in person is a bucket-list experience. Here's how to approach it.

The Indianapolis Experience

Indianapolis Motor Speedway seats over 250,000 people, making it the largest sporting venue in the world by capacity. On race day, the grandstands and infield together hold well over 300,000 people. The sound of 33 open-wheel cars launching from the rolling start is something you'll never forget — louder than anything in road racing.

The IMS infield has its own ecosystem of campgrounds, entertainment zones, and viewing areas. Many fans arrive days early, and a significant portion camp on site for the entire race week. The Carb Day crowd alone often exceeds 100,000 people, making the Friday before the race a major event in itself.

Planning Tips

  • Book accommodation in Indianapolis months in advance — the city fills up completely
  • Grandstand seats have clear sightlines but can be very hot in direct sun — bring sun protection
  • Infield access requires a separate ticket and provides a closer but less organized experience
  • The IMS Museum is open on site — a must-visit for any motorsport fan
  • Traffic around IMS before and after the race is significant; build in extra time

What to Bring

  • Hearing protection — critical. 33 open-wheel cars at race pace produce extreme noise levels. Even foam earplugs make a significant difference; serious racing fans use professional ear defenders.
  • A small radio or the INDYCAR app — essential for following the race across a 2.5-mile oval where you can only see part of the track from any fixed position
  • Sun protection — mid-May in Indiana can be brutally sunny; the grandstands offer limited shade
  • Layers — temperatures can shift significantly during the race; morning can be cool even if afternoon gets warm
  • Cash — some infield vendors are cash-only

Best Viewing Spots

Turn 1 Grandstands — Watch the entire field launch from the start-finish line into the first corner for the first time. Spectacular for the rolling start.

Main Straight / Pagoda Area — The grandstands overlooking the pit lane and start-finish line. Watch pit stops in real time and see the checkered flag finish.

Turn 3 Grandstands — A great vantage point for mid-race racing action as cars compete for position heading into the final two turns.