Indianapolis 500 Countdown
The Indianapolis 500, 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing', runs every Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, drawing one of the largest crowds in all of sports. This countdown targets the expected race day; confirm with IndyCar.
Indianapolis 500 is on Sunday, May 30, 2027, which is 311 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
How many days until Indianapolis 500?
Indianapolis 500 is on Sunday, May 30, 2027, which is 311 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Indy 500 Records
Indy 500 Winners, Last 15 Years
The Greatest Spectacle in Racing
First held in 1911, the Indy 500 is 200 laps around the 2.5-mile oval, 500 miles. The winner traditionally celebrates by drinking a bottle of milk in Victory Lane, a quirk dating back to 1936.
Dates subject to change
The race runs on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in late May. This countdown tracks the expected date, check the official schedule for confirmation.
The winner who invented the rearview mirror
When Ray Harroun entered the first 500 in 1911, rivals protested his single-seat Marmon "Wasp" — every other car carried a riding mechanic to watch for overtaking traffic. Harroun's fix was to bolt a mirror above the cowl, widely credited as the first rearview mirror on an automobile, and he drove it to victory in the inaugural race. Since 1936, every winner's face has been sculpted onto the sterling-silver Borg-Warner Trophy, which ran out of room and gained an extra base after Bobby Rahal's 1986 win.
Snagging a seat at the world's biggest single-day event
General admission puts you in the infield; the famous Snake Pit party zone in Turn 3 is an 18-and-over add-on that requires its own wristband on top of a race ticket.
Quick facts
- First run in 1911
- 200 laps, 500 miles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- The winner drinks milk in Victory Lane
- Held on Memorial Day weekend
- Four drivers have won four times: A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves
- About 257,000 permanent seats make IMS the world's largest sports venue
How to watch Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500 airs live on FOX, after IndyCar's media rights moved from NBC/Peacock to FOX starting with the 2025 season. Coverage streams on FOX One and the FOX Sports app; race-day radio is free via the IndyCar Radio Network.
Indianapolis 500 — frequently asked questions
When is Indianapolis 500?
Indianapolis 500 is on Sunday, May 30, 2027.
How many days until Indianapolis 500?
Indianapolis 500 is on Sunday, May 30, 2027, which is 311 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Updated July 2026 · alarm-clock.org