A look at the jam-packed Indy 500 event schedule for 2026, including dates, times and how to watch TV coverage of the festivities.
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The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is just around the corner, and the month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is already well underway. Practice sessions have been taking place this week as the 33-car field begins to find its footing on the legendary 2.5-mile oval. However, the action really starts to heat up beginning this Friday with the highly anticipated Fast Friday practice session.
From there, qualifying takes center stage over the weekend before the buildup culminates with Carb Day festivities the following Friday. As always, it all leads to one of the most iconic race days in all of sports on Memorial Day weekend.
Whether you are a lifelong fan of the NTT IndyCar Series and the “greatest spectacle in racing” or are tuning in for the first time, here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Indy 500 event schedule.
2026 Indy 500 Race Information
110th Indianapolis 500
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Speedway, IN
Start Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
Coverage: FOX
Distance: 500 miles (200 laps)
Pole Sitter: TBD
Defending Champion: Alex Palou
Indy 500 Event Schedule 2026
Fast Friday Practice
If you have a need for speed, you won’t want to miss Fast Friday! In the final practice session before Indy 500 qualifying, the cars will receive a turbocharger boost to reach top speeds. When running in packs, it is not uncommon for speeds from this session to exceed those in qualifying.
- Friday, May 15th
- Start Time: Noon ET
- Coverage: FS2 switching to FS1 at 3 p.m. ET
Qualifying Day 1
The first day of qualifying will see all 33 Indianapolis 500 entrants make timed four-lap runs, with speed being the only goal. Drivers can continue to take additional attempts until the session concludes, and positions 16 through 33 on the starting grid will be determined via this session.
Pro tip — tune into FS2 one hour before the start of qualifying to see Monster Jam driver Camden Murphy attempt to break the world speed record for a monster truck!
- Saturday, May 16th
- Start Time: 11 a.m. ET
- Coverage: FS2 switching to FS1 at 2 p.m. ET and to FOX at 4 p.m. ET
Qualifying Day 2
The top 15 spots on the Indy 500 starting grid will be determined during multiple rounds of qualifying on Sunday. The day will include the Firestone Fast Six where the top six drivers throw down one last four-lap stint to determine who will start from the coveted pole position.
- Sunday, May 17th
- Start Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Coverage: FOX
Post-Qualifying Practice Session
With qualifying in the rearview, Monday’s practice session will be all about getting the cars dialed in for the race. This affords drivers and teams a prime opportunity to improve their equipment ahead of the day that really matters.
- Monday, May 18th
- Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Coverage: FS1
Carb Day
Racing cars and rock ’n roll. What more could one ask for in life? Carb Day action will include the final race practice, the must-see Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 and the Indy 500 Pit Stop Competition. For fans in attendance, the Carb Day concert will begin at 4 p.m. ET.
- Friday, May 22nd
- Start Time: 11 a.m. ET
- Coverage: FS1 switching to FOX at 2 p.m. ET
Indianapolis 500 Race Day
As always, the week of festivities will culminate with the running of the Indy 500 on Sunday. The race itself is scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. ET with pre-race coverage on FOX kicking off nearly three hours before. Don’t wait until the last minute to tune in if you want to see some of the traditions and pageantry that are staples of race day!
- Sunday, May 24th
- Start Time: 10 a.m. ET (Racing begins at 12:45 p.m. ET)
- Coverage: FOX
