The Indianapolis 500, affectionately known as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” remains one of motorsport’s premier events. And this year, the 110th edition continues into a new era as FOX Sports enters the second year of its exclusive IndyCar broadcasting deal.
That’s right, FOX and the new standalone FOX One streaming service will air the 2026 Indy 500 live on Sunday, May 24. Most major TV providers carry FOX, making it widely available across the U.S. But if you’re within range, a digital antenna is the easiest way to pick up the channel, while FOX One serves as the ultimate streaming hub for every IndyCar Series race this season.
Looking to catch all the action from Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Keep scrolling for the full Indy 500 TV schedule, streaming options, and my top TV provider picks.
What channel is the Indy 500 race on?
You can watch the 2026 Indianapolis 500 on FOX, with race coverage starting at 12:30 ET on Sunday, May 24. Spanish-language commentary will also air on Fox Deportes.
Want radio coverage? Fans can listen to the Indy 500 and other IndyCar Series races online for free via IndyCar Radio Network. The network also broadcasts to over 350 radio affiliates nationwide and streams on TuneIn Premium and SiriusXM IndyCar Nation (ch. 218).
2026 Indy 500 TV schedule: Practice, qualifying & race day coverage
The Indianapolis 500 isn’t just one race. It’s a month full of high-speed drama leading up to Memorial Day Weekend. From early test runs to qualifiers, May at the Brickyard is packed with events every racing fan should catch.
As part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport—alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and F1‘s Monaco Grand Prix—the Indy 500 builds anticipation like few events can. Below, you’ll find a complete list of televised sessions, including practice times, qualifying rounds, and the main race broadcast on FOX.
| Event | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 28 | ||
| Indy 500 Open Test Day 1 | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | YouTube |
| Wednesday, April 29 | ||
| Indy 500 Open Test Day 2 | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | YouTube |
| Tuesday, May 12 | ||
| Indy 500 Practice 1 | Noon–4:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| Indy 500 Practice 1 | 4:00–6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Wednesday, May 13 | ||
| Indy 500 Practice 2 | Noon–4:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| Indy 500 Practice 2 | 4:00–6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Thursday, May 14 | ||
| Indy 500 Practice 3 | Noon–4:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| Indy 500 Practice 3 | 4:00–6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Friday, May 15 | ||
| Indy 500 Practice 4 (Fast Friday) | Noon–3:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| Indy 500 Practice 4 (Fast Friday) | 3:00–5:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Indy 500 Practice 4 (Fast Friday) | 5:00–6:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| Saturday, May 16 | ||
| Indy 500 Practice 5 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. | FS2 |
| Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying | 2:00–4:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying | 4:00–6:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sunday, May 17 | ||
| Indy 500 Practice 6 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| Indy 500 Top 12, Last Chance, and Fast Six Qualifying | 4:00–7:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Monday, May 18 | ||
| Indy 500 Practice 7 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Thursday, May 21 | ||
| "First Things First" (On-Site) | 3:00–6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Friday, May 22 (Carb Day) | ||
| Indy 500 Final Practice | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 | 2:00–2:30 p.m. | FOX |
| Pit Stop Challenge | 2:30–4:00 p.m. | FOX |
| "First Things First" (On-Site) | 3:00–6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Saturday, May 23 | ||
| Indy 500 Parade | 11:45 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | WTHR 13 (Locally), Peacock (Nationally) |
| Sunday, May 24 | ||
| Indy 500 Pre-Race | 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | FOX, Fox Deportes |
| 110th Indianapolis 500 | 12:30–3:30 p.m. | FOX, Fox Deportes |
| Indy 500 Post-Race | 3:30–4:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Monday, May 25 | ||
| Indy 500 Victory Celebration | 8:00–11:00 p.m. | FS1 (Delayed) |
Data effective as of post date. Indianapolis-area viewers are subject to blackouts.
Best TV plans for watching the Indy 500
With the Indy 500 entering its second year on FOX, your viewing options are officially locked in. Sure, the big race is easy to watch with a digital antenna. But if you’re like me and want to follow every practice and qualifying session, you’ll need a more complete TV or streaming plan.
Here are my three top TV provider picks for watching the Indy 500. I’ve ranked them from basic to comprehensive so you can easily choose the best option based on your priorities, whether that’s saving money or scoring the most TV coverage.
- Antenna TV: The Indy 500 will air live on FOX, which means you can watch it for free with a basic digital antenna. It’s the easiest and most affordable way to catch the main event on Sunday, May 24—no internet or TV subscription required.
- FOX One: For comprehensive coverage beyond race day, FOX’s standalone streaming service is the ultimate pit stop. A FOX One subscription ($19.99/mo.) unlocks the main FOX broadcast plus all the FS1 and FS2 practice and qualifying sessions in one convenient app, making it the most streamlined way to catch every single lap of the month without a traditional TV plan.
- Hulu + Live TV: For broader motorsports fans willing to invest more, Hulu + Live TV ($88.99–$99.99/mo.) is my top recommendation. It gives you FOX, FS1, and FS2, along with ESPN, ESPN+, and TNT Sports channels. This means you can stream not just the IndyCar Series but also the World Endurance Championship, NASCAR, and MotoGP all in one convenient place.
Most TV providers that offer local channels carry the Indy 500 via FOX. But if you want coverage through Fox Deportes, you may need a Spanish-language base plan or add-on to tune in. My table below highlights 12 popular TV providers and whether they carry FOX and Fox Deportes.
| Provider | Price | FOX | Fox Deportes† | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $33.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔* | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $55.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available only in select markets.
†May require Spanish-language plan or separate add-on.
How to watch the Indy 500 for free
The quickest and most convenient way to watch the Indy 500 for free is by signing up for a free trial from a live TV streaming service. Platforms like Fubo and DIRECTV often have trials lasting around five days that include FOX, FS1, and FS2. Just be sure to cancel before the trial expires.
Sometimes, you can also stream FOX Sports events for free for a limited duration on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app. But I wouldn’t rely on this “preview pass” method for race day, unless you only care about the ending. You’ll need to sign in with a TV provider to get full access.
Of course, if streaming isn’t an option, using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna is your next best bet. Plus, it’ll get you all the other IndyCar Series races this season. But you must check if your home is within range of a local FOX affiliate. You can do that by entering your zip code into Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator.
Once you know how far away the tower is, check out our Best OTA Antennas guide to find the right fit. I often recommend models like the Mohu Leaf 50, which offers a solid 60-mile range and is great for indoor setups in suburban areas.
How to watch the Indy 500 FAQ
Can I watch the Indy 500 without cable?
Yes, you can watch the Indy 500 without cable by streaming the race on any live TV streaming service that carries FOX or Fox Deportes. You can also tune in with an antenna if you live near a FOX affiliate station.
Where can I stream the Indy 500?
The easiest way to stream the Indy 500 is directly through FOX One, or with a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV. Anyone with an existing TV subscription can stream the race on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app.
Is the Indy 500 blacked out on local TV?
Yes, the Indy 500 typically doesn't air live on TV to anyone located within central Indiana to encourage in-person attendance. That said, if the IMS lifts the local TV delay due to a grandstand sellout, the race will air live on WXIN (FOX 59) in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
How can I watch the Indy 500 in Canada?
You can watch the 2026 Indy 500 in Canada via TSN, TSN+, and CTV2. Most practice and qualifying runs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will stream on TSN+ in the weeks leading up to the 500-mile race.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched and tested the best ways to watch the Indianapolis 500 this season. After reviewing the channels and platforms that will broadcast this year’s race, Taylor compared 12+ popular TV services head-to-head. He also analyzed ways to watch the complete IndyCar Series before determining his final viewing recommendations.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
