Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Speedway · IN

When to go

BestGoodFairPoorClosedCrowds (quiet → packed)May is best for Indy 500 practice, qualifying and Race Day; buy or apply early for specific seats. · Also: Jul, Sep–Oct: Brickyard Weekend, IMSA Battle on the Bricks and GT World Indianapolis bring major race weekends.

Day: Weekday Indy 500 practice days, May 18–21 and May 24, 2027, Indy 500 qualifying weekend, May 22–23, 2027
Time: Indy 500 Race Day: arrive in the morning; allow at least 45 minutes from gate to seat. · Weekday May practice: stay while cars are on track and use garage access with a Bronze Badge.
Avoid: Avoid non-event days: IMS does not publish general admission for casually entering and exploring the track.

A good route

Start
Enter through the gate assigned by that day's event map, nearest your parking or seat.45 min
Have your digital ticket open with screen brightness raised; expect security screening.
+45 min
Grandstand or viewing mound
A reserved seat includes gate admission and its assigned stand; general admission does not include a grandstand seat.
+3 h
Gasoline Alley and garage area, if visiting with a Bronze Badge60 min
Bronze Badge access excludes Sonsio Grand Prix day and Indy 500 Race Day.

Built: 1909
Architects: Carl G. Fisher, James A. Allison
Heritage: National Historic Landmark · National Register of Historic Places listed place
Capacity: 257,325

The venue

Home of: Indianapolis 500 · NTT INDYCAR SERIES Month of May events, including the Sonsio Grand Prix · NASCAR Brickyard Weekend / Brickyard 400 · IMSA Battle on the Bricks and GT World Indianapolis

Where to sit: For the Indianapolis 500, apply early if you want a particular section, shade, aisle seat or adjacent block. Covered Penthouse and Deck inventory is extremely limited for new buyers, but these are the best choice for shade. Reserved seats include gate admission and the assigned grandstand seat; general admission provides grounds and viewing-mound access but no seat. Choose the gate nearest your assigned stand or parking area on the event-day map.
Getting out: On Indy 500 Race Day, expect a slow departure: traffic may be held for pedestrian safety for up to an hour after the race. If driving, follow the QR-code directions on your official parking pass rather than normal navigation. The paid IMS shuttle resumes from the Main Gate area beginning with 50 laps remaining and operates for up to two hours after the finish. Rideshare pickup is event-specific; use the current event transportation plan rather than requesting pickup at a preferred gate.
Food & drink: IMS permits an 18 x 15 x 15 inch or smaller hard- or soft-sided cooler, along with food and non-glass drinks including water, soft drinks, beer and wine; all bags are subject to search. Glass, oversize coolers and large luggage are prohibited, and there is no item check. Recheck the event-specific gate rules before leaving, as rules can vary by event.

Maps & links

What's onindianapolismotorspeedway.com

Good to know

Bring

Hearing protection
Sunscreen and rain gear
Refillable water bottle or permitted beverages in cans/plastic bottles/boxes/cups without glass lids or caps?

Food & breaks

Bring food and non-glass drinks in a cooler no larger than 18 x 15 x 15 inches.
There is no item check; prohibited items may need to be discarded at the gate.

Skip it if

Skip it outside a ticketed event, or if loud engines, long walks, sun exposure and major-event logistics are not appealing.