Known as the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500 (a.k.a. Indy 500) is one of motor racing’s premier events. You can watch the 2023 edition on Sunday, May 28, across NBC, Peacock, and UNIVERSO.
Held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 is part of the overall IndyCar Series. It’s also considered part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and F1’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Keep scrolling for more details on how to watch the Indy 500—including the full race schedule and TV provider recommendations.
What channel is the Indy 500 on?
Pro tip: Radio 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 SiriusXM IndyCar Nation (ch. 160).
2023 Indy 500 schedule
While the Indy 500 generally happens every Memorial Day weekend, several events occur leading up to the big race—we’re talking practices, qualifying sessions, and even a parade. To help you catch it all, we listed the main Indy 500 events in the table below.
| Event | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indy 500 Practice | Tuesday, May 16 | 9:15–11:15 a.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Practice | Tuesday, May 16 | 1–3 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Practice | Tuesday, May 16 | 3–6 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Practice | Wednesday, May 17 | Noon–6 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Practice | Thursday, May 18 | Noon–6 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Practice | Friday, May 19 | Noon–6 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Practice | Saturday, May 20 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying | Saturday, May 20 | 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying | Saturday, May 20 | 2:30–4:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
| Indy 500 Fast 12 Practice | Sunday, May 21 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Fast 12 Qualifying | Sunday, May 21 | 2–3 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Qualifying | Sunday, May 21 | 4–6 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
| Indy 500 Practice | Monday, May 22 | 1–3 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Final Practice on Carb Day | Friday, May 26 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Peacock |
| Pit Stop Competition | Friday, May 26 | 2:30–4 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Parade | Saturday, May 27 | Noon–2 p.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Pre-Race | Sunday, May 28 | 9–11 a.m. | Peacock |
| Indy 500 Pre-Race | Sunday, May 28 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, UNIVERSO |
| 107th Indianapolis 500 | Sunday, May 28 | 12:30–4 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, UNIVERSO |
| Indy 500 Victory Celebration | Monday, May 29 | 8:30–11 p.m. | Peacock |
Data effective as of post date. Indianapolis-area viewers are subject to blackouts.
Best TV plans for watching the Indy 500
The best way to watch the Indy 500 is through Peacock. Not only does the streaming service show the main race, but it also carries every practice and qualifying event beforehand.
Peacock plans start at $4.99 per month and feature thousands of movies, TV shows, and live sports. In addition to the Indy 500, the service streams every minute of the IndyCar Series and other marquee competitions like MotoGP races, Premier League games, and NFL Sunday Night Football matchups.
If your home internet is not fast enough for streaming, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna is the next best option for watching the Indy 500. The right antenna will pick up your local NBC station and other local channels—giving you access to many racing events beyond IndyCar. For more information on finding the best antenna for race day, check out our free viewing options section below.
Which TV providers carry the Indy 500?
Most TV providers that offer local channels carry the Indy 500 via NBC. However, if you want coverage through UNIVERSO, you may need a Spanish-language base plan or add-on to tune in. Our table below highlights 13 popular TV providers and whether they carry NBC and UNIVERSO.
| Provider | Price | NBC | UNIVERSO† | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $56.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $79.99–$109.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | $74.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read fuboTV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99–$82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$115.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $25.00/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔* | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $59.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | $59.95–$79.95/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans 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
‡CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $47.99 (as of 5/3/23 11:30 a.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
Because the Indy 500 airs on NBC, you can watch the race for free by connecting an OTA antenna to your TV. All you’ll need to do is verify the distance of the nearest NBC broadcast tower and choose an antenna strong enough to pick up the signal.
The Federal Communications Commission has a handy Reception Map Tool that allows you to enter your zip code and view nearby channels. If you’re in a rural area, you may have to adjust the tool’s location pin to find the nearest NBC tower.
Once you know the tower distance, head to our Best OTA Antennas guide to browse a diverse selection of antennas. We like the Mohu Leaf 50 ($47.99 on Amazon‡) for its 60-mile range and indoor capabilities—ideal for anyone in a suburban area. But no matter which antenna you choose, you’ll score live TV without paying a monthly fee.
Final take
NBC Sports broadcasts complete Indy 500 coverage across NBC, Peacock, and UNIVERSO. Peacock is our favorite way to watch the race because it also shows Indy 500 practice and qualifying sessions. Plus, the streaming service is the official home to every IndyCar Series race—meaning the fun doesn’t stop at Indianapolis.
If streaming isn’t an option for you, any TV provider with NBC will have you covered for the Indy 500. You can even use an OTA antenna to watch the 500-mile race as long as you live within range of an NBC station.
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 Peacock or any live TV streaming service that carries NBC. You can also tune in with an OTA antenna if you live near an NBC affiliate station.
Where can I stream the Indy 500?
Peacock is the primary streaming destination for the Indy 500, but anyone with an existing TV subscription can stream the race on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Live TV streaming services like fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV also carry the Indy 500. Most of these streaming options are available on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku devices.
How can I watch the Indy 500 in Canada?
You can watch the 2023 Indy 500 in Canada via TSN 5 and TSN+. Most practice and qualifying runs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will stream on TSN+ in the weeks building up to the 500-mile race.
Methodology
Our sports experts researched and tested the best ways to watch the Indianapolis 500. After reviewing the channels and platforms that will broadcast this year’s race, we compared 13 popular TV services head to head. We also analyzed ways to watch the complete IndyCar Series before determining our final viewing recommendations.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
‡Amazon.com price as of 5/3/23 11:30 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
