When is Indianapolis 500 Race?

The next Indianapolis 500 will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2027, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It will be the 111th running of the race. Indianapolis Motor Speedway has officially announced the 2027 date and a Month of May program running from May 18 through May 30.

Indianapolis 500 Date Status

The May 30, 2027 race date is officially confirmed. The later dates shown in the countdown are calculated from the event’s established scheduling rule: the Indianapolis 500 is held on the Sunday before Memorial Day. Those calendar-based dates extend through 2035, but the track will publish each season’s final event schedule separately.

The official 2027 event information is available on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Month of May schedule.

2027 Indianapolis 500 Program

The race is the final event in a series of practice, qualifying and fan days at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The currently announced 2027 dates are:

• Practice: May 18–21 and May 24, 2027
• Qualifying weekend: May 22–23, 2027
• Carb Day: Friday, May 28, 2027
• Legends Day: Saturday, May 29, 2027
• Indianapolis 500 Race Day: Sunday, May 30, 2027

Qualifying sets the starting order and determines which drivers make the race. Carb Day includes the final practice session and the annual pit stop competition. Legends Day is scheduled for the day before the race and normally includes driver activities and the public drivers’ meeting.

Where the Indianapolis 500 Takes Place

The race is held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46222. The venue is in the town of Speedway, west of central Indianapolis.

The race covers 500 miles over 200 laps of the 2.5-mile oval. Race length can change because of caution periods, red flags or weather delays, so visitors should plan for a full race-day visit rather than a fixed finishing time.

2027 Indianapolis 500 Tickets

Ticket reorders and new ticket applications are open for the 2027 race. Indianapolis Motor Speedway states that regular ticket sales are expected to begin in fall 2026. Available choices include reserved grandstand seats and general admission access to designated viewing mounds.

Applications and current sales information are posted on the official 2027 ticket page. Ticket prices, seat availability and parking products can change as inventory is assigned.

Do children need tickets?

Every visitor needs a reserved-seat ticket to enter a reserved grandstand area on Race Day, regardless of age. Children aged 15 and under may enter general admission areas free when accompanied by an adult holding a paid general admission ticket. The current policy is listed in the Indianapolis 500 ticket FAQs.

How to Watch the 2027 Indianapolis 500

The exact 2027 television start time, streaming services and international broadcast list have not yet been published. Race coverage details will be added to the official INDYCAR schedule closer to the event.

Start times are listed in Eastern Time. Viewers outside the United States should check the official schedule for their local broadcaster and any territorial streaming restrictions.

Race-Day Arrival and Entry Rules

Traffic around Indianapolis Motor Speedway becomes heavy early on Race Day. Gate opening times, road patterns, shuttle services and parking instructions are issued closer to the race. Reserved parking should be purchased only through the track or an authorized seller.

Current speedway rules allow coolers no larger than 18 by 15 by 15 inches. Food and drinks may be brought in using non-glass containers. Glass containers, drones, fireworks, weapons and oversized luggage are prohibited. Rules can be updated for a specific event, so the official gate regulations should be checked before travel.

Future Indianapolis 500 Dates Through 2035

Indianapolis 500 Questions

When is qualifying for the 2027 Indianapolis 500?

Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23, 2027. The sessions decide the starting grid for Race Day.

When is Carb Day in 2027?

Carb Day is scheduled for Friday, May 28, 2027. It is the final practice day before the Indianapolis 500 and also includes the pit stop competition.

What happens if it rains?

Indy cars do not race on the oval in wet conditions. Rain can delay the start, interrupt the race or force a postponement. Ticket holders should follow Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcements for schedule changes and entry instructions.

How long is the Indianapolis 500?

The full race is 500 miles, equal to 200 laps. The elapsed time varies each year because caution periods, stoppages and weather can alter the schedule.