Turn up the volume for this year’s Indianapolis 500!
Turn up the volume for this year’s Indianapolis 500!
Get ready for a high-octane weekend filled with exciting IndyCar action from the Brickyard.
The top IndyCar drivers from around the globe are on their way to Indiana, if they haven’t already arrived. The world-famous Indianapolis 500 starts at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24, and will be broadcast on Fox. Fans will be able to cheer on their favorite drivers as they attempt to come out on top at the end of this 500-mile marathon, and we recommend watching the race play out with a five-day free trial of DIRECTV.
How to watch the 2026 Indianapolis 500
- When: Starts Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. ET
- TV: Fox
- Stream: Watch with a five-day free trial of DIRECTV.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about the 2026 Indianapolis 500
What time does the 2026 Indianapolis 500 start?
Fox’s coverage of the 2026 Indianapolis 500 will begin at 10 a.m. ET, but the green flag won’t officially drop until 12:45 p.m.
Why do we recommend watching the 2026 Indianapolis 500 on DIRECTV?
We think DIRECTV is the best choice for watching the Indy 500 on Fox this year. The service offers Fox in a variety of different channel packages, including the MySports and MySports + MyNews Genre Packs. Each plan comes with a limited selection of channels, but they’re priced at $65 and $80 per month, respectively — less than channel packages with all different genres included. Plus, the MySports and MySports + MyNews plans are discounted by $20 per month for new customers’ first two months of service.
You can also watch Fox in DIRECTV’s Signature channel plans, starting with the $90-per-month ENTERTAINMENT package. These plans offer at least 90+ channels each, and the bigger your budget, the more channels you can get!
Every DIRECTV plan comes with a five-day free trial for streaming customers, as well. Watch the Indy 500 in whichever DIRECTV package you choose, and stream it free with the service’s trial offer!
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.
Can you watch the 2026 Indianapolis 500 for free?
Yes, there are services besides DIRECTV that will allow you to watch the Indianapolis 500 on Fox with a free trial.
Fubo has Fox in all its channel packages, and includes a free trial between one and seven days, depending on what time of month you subscribe and other variables. Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial, after which its core plan (which includes the Disney Bundle at no extra cost) starts at $90 per month. YouTube TV carries Fox in its core plan for $83 per month, as well as its Sports Genre Plan for $65. Each plan comes with a free trial between two and 21 days for new customers, depending on promotions and other factors.
Fox One offers new customers a free trial of seven days, and streams all live sports on Fox channels.
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $25 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| Fox | + $19 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
Watch a teaser for the Indy 500
What are all the services you can use to watch the 2026 Indianapolis 500?
You can stream the 2026 Indy 500 on DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. We prefer DIRECTV thanks to its free trial and the availability of Fox, but all of these will offer coverage of the race in at least some American markets.
Fox One will also stream the Indianapolis 500 live, with plans starting at $20 per month.
Fox One
Launched August 21, 2025, Fox One is a direct-to-consumer streaming service from Fox Corporation. Billed as a “major digital initiative,” Fox One brings together the full range of Fox’s leading news, sports, and entertainment brands, offering live and on-demand access in one unified platform.
How to watch the 2026 Indianapolis 500 from anywhere
If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the Indianapolis 500 as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action no matter where you are in the world with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV in order to stream the race with a VPN.
NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!
While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available depending on what you are looking for.
- Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
- Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
- Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available