The 2026 edition of Indy 500 is just around the corner! The exhilarating race is set for Sunday, May 24. The pre-race coverage starts at 10 AM ET, with the actual kick-off scheduled for 12 PM ET. As always, the Indy 500 takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Don’t want to miss out on any of the action? Keep reading to watch Indy 500 live for free, no matter where you are in the world!
Where to Watch Indy 500 Live for Free
This year, the official broadcaster for Indianapolis 500 is FOX. You can watch the race on sports channel FS1, or online via FOX Sports or the FOX Sports App. However, if you don’t have an American IP address — for example if you’re out of the country on May 24 — your access will be blocked.
If you’re abroad, you can easily get an American IP address to unblock FS1 by downloading a VPN. A VPN changes your virtual location, giving you access to American TV channels from anywhere.
My #1 VPN for streaming events like the Indy 500 is NordVPN. This is a lightning-fast provider with a huge server network. On top of that, NordVPN has a 30-day free trial period through its money-back guarantee. See for yourself!
Want an alternative stream? You can also use a live TV service that includes FOX to watch Indy 500, such as Fubo TV (seven-day free trial) or Hulu with Live TV (three-day free trial). Outside of the United States, you can unblock these services with a VPN.
How to Watch Indy 500 With a VPN: Step-by-Step
Never used a VPN before? It’s very straightforward! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be set up in a matter of minutes:
- Sign up with a VPN provider. For Indy 500, I recommend NordVPN, which always manages to deliver a smooth streaming experience!
- Download the NordVPN software for your laptop, phone, or tablet.
- Open the VPN app and log in.
- Connect to a VPN server in the United States if you want to stream Indy 500 on FOX.
- Head over to FOX Sports and enjoy the race!
FOX Sports has a preview pass for 60 minutes of free streaming. After that, you’re asked to sign up through your cable provider.
However, with NordVPN you can get extra free streaming time by simply closing your browser window and switching to a different VPN server, before opening the FOX website again.
I’ve tested this myself — make sure you use an incognito window! — and found that it’s the perfect way to watch the Indy 500 completely for free!
Indy 500 (2026): What to Know
The Indy 500 takes place on May 24, 2026. The pre-race events start at 10 AM ET and the actual race kicks off at 12 AM ET!
Last year, Josef Newgarden won the Indy 500 for the second year in a row. However, this year, Newgarden, along with fellow Penske teammate Will Power, has been sent to the rear of the field, following a discovery of illegal modifications to the rear attenuators on their cars.
Both teams have been fined $100,000 each. Race strategists Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski have been suspended. If you want to see how the 2026 Indianapolis 500 plays out, make sure you tune in on time! Use NordVPN to watch for free from anywhere.
For more information, check out our extensive guide on watching Indy 500 online.
