How to watch the Indianapolis 500 today: Start time, livestream options, more

Memorial Day weekend plans start with watching the 2024 Indy 500. Find out when the Indianapolis 500 green flag will drop and how to watch the race today even if you don’t have cable (and what happens if it rains on the day of the race).

How and when to watch the Indy 500

The 2024 Indy 500 will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024. The Indianapolis 500 green flag drops at 12:45 p.m. ET (9:45 a.m. PT). The race will air on NBC and stream on Peacock and the platforms featured below.

How to watch the 2024 Indy 500 without cable

While most cable packages include NBC, it’s easy to watch the Indy 500 if NBC isn’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)

Stream the Indy 500 on Sling TV and save $25

If you don’t have cable TV that includes NBC, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream live sports airing on NBA this year is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available) with its Blue Tier plan.

The Sling TV Blue plan normally costs $45 per month, but the streamer is currently offering a $25-off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $20. If you want to add ESPN and TNT, you can upgrade to the Orange + Blue Tier plan (recommended), which is currently $25 for the first month and $60 after that. You can learn more by tapping the button below.

Top features of Sling TV Blue tier:

• There are 42 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox, FS1 and USA affiliates (where available).
• You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
• All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Watch the Indy 500 2024 free with Fubo

You can also catch the Indianapolis 500 in 2024 on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to NBC, USA, Fox and FS1, in addition to almost every televised sporting event in 2024 including MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. There are over 180 channels on the Fubo Pro Tier to enjoy.

To watch today’s race without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. Fubo’s Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.

Sports fans will want to consider adding on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels with live games. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, starting at $90 per month.

Top features of Fubo Pro Tier:

• There are no contracts with Fubo — you can cancel at any time.
• The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, including NFL Network. (You’ll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
• FuboTV includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football on network TV, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
• All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
• Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.

Watch the Indy 500 on Hulu + Live TV

You can watch today’s race with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including Fox and FS1, NBC and USA. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch today’s race and top-tier sports on every network with Hulu + Live TV, including almost all live NFL games next season, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more. With Hulu + Live TV, you’ll have access to live local network affiliate programming without the hefty price of a cable subscription. 

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month after a three-day free trial.

Watch the Indy 500 with Peacock

Peacock offers its subscribers live streaming access to sports and programming that air on NBC and USA. The streaming service has plenty more live sports to offer, including Big Ten football, Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling (including formerly PPV-only events such as WrestleMania). There are 80,000 hours worth of recorded content to watch as well, including hit movies and TV series such as “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.”

A Peacock subscription costs $6 per month. An annual plan is available for $60 per year. You can cancel anytime.

Top features of Peacock:

• If you only want to watch NBC and USA-aired content, it’s your least expensive option. If you want to watch stream sports on other networks, there are better choices above.
• Peacock features plenty of current and classic NBC and Bravo TV shows.

Watch the Indy 500 live with a digital HDTV antenna

You can also watch the Indy 500 on NBC with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDTV channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.

For anyone living in a partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch the Indy 500 without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.

This amplified digital antenna with a 50-mile range can receive hundreds of HDTV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox and Univision and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It delivers a high-quality picture in 1080p HDTV and top-tier sound.

How long with the 2024 Indy 500 last?

Drivers will complete the 200 laps of the 500-mile race of the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in around three hours. 

Can the Indy 500 be delayed for rain?

As of this post’s writing, there is an 80% chance of rain on race day, with thunderstorms predicted throughout the day. 

So can the race be postponed? In a word, yes. The Indy 500 has had three complete postponements in its history, the last time being in 2007. Drivers must complete at least 101 laps for the race to be considered official, with the remainder of the race re-scheduled for the following (dry) day.  The race has also been shortened eight times according the the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts the Indy 500. The shortest official race was 102 laps in 1976.

This year the weather in Indy is forecast for rain through Wednesday, May 29, 2024, which could mean drivers have to wait a few more days to compete. 

Check back to this post for all the latest information about the 2024 Indy 500.