Indy 500 dates, 2026 schedule, Indianapolis weather, UK race start time for IndyCar’s biggest event and how to watch or stream live on Sky Sports | F1 News
The Indy 500 – one of the highlights of the motorsport calendar – is here and you can watch it everywhere Sky Sports.
Practice takes place this week ahead of the six-hour Weekend Sobriety on Saturday due to its unique format, before the thrilling title race on Sunday evening.
IndyCar championship leader Alex Palou will be aiming to defend his title in the often elusive race known as “the greatest spectacle in racing” thanks to the bravery of 33 drivers going wheel-to-wheel at speeds in excess of 200mph on the 2.5-mile oval.
You can watch the entire session live Sky Sportsincluding coverage of the race itself on Sunday 24 May before the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
Indy 500 weather
The weather for training this week is dry but there is a good chance of rain on Saturday in the qualifying match which will be held in six hours, but Sunday’s qualifying match to see who will hold the pole must be dry.
The long forecast for the 110th running of the Indy 500 itself on Sunday May 24 is expected to be dry.
Sky Sports F1 Indy 500 schedule
Tuesday May 12
5pm: Indy 500 Practice One
Wednesday May 13
5pm: Indy 500 Practice Two
Thursday May 14
5pm: Indy 500 Practice Three
Friday May 15
5pm: Indy 500 Practice Four
Saturday May 16
1.30pm: Indy 500 Practice Five
4pm: Indy 500 Qualifying
Sunday May 17
6pm: Indy 500 Practice Six
9pm: Indy 500 Qualifying
Monday May 18
6pm: Indy 500 Practice Seven
Friday 22 May
4pm: Indy 500 Practice Eight*
8.10pm: Pit Stop Challenge
Sunday May 24
3pm: 110TH RUNNING OF THE INDY 500 (Race starts at 5.30pm)
*live on Sky Sports Mix
Alex Palou aims to become just the seventh driver to defend his Indy 500 crown (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indy 500 qualifying format
Each driver is guaranteed at least one run in Saturday’s six-hour entry after a random draw. During that time, the driver will do an out lap, a warm-up lap and complete a series of laps in a row where the average speed is important.
After that, if the weather is dry, drivers can try to improve their average speed to move up the order. To do so, teams move their car to Lane 1 or Lane 2.
Lane 1 is the best lane, so any drivers in that lane will follow, but your best speed is erased, so there’s a risk you could drop down the order. Drivers in Lane 2 will keep their best time and we won’t lose them, even if they go slower on their next run.
Scores 13-33 are tied but the top twelve advance to Sunday’s playoffs which will make the top twelve finish one run back from Saturday’s place.
The top six from this advance to a shot at the pole position where one run will determine the final Indy 500 grid.
For the first time since 2022, there is no “blast” qualifying session as only 33 drivers entered this year’s event. If there are more than 33 drivers, a shootout is held to determine when the slowest driver is disqualified for the Indy 500.
How to watch or stream the Indy 500 in the UK and Ireland
Do you have Sky?
TV: Sky Customers can watch Sky Sports F1 from the start of the race itself on Sunday May 24 at 5.30pm
Application: Sky customers can also watch on The Sky Sports app – with the option to ride with any driver!
Don’t have Sky?
Stream: Non-Sky customers can stream action on the CURRENT Day or Month pass for any period
How to watch the Indy 500 on mobile with the Sky Sports app
Sky Sports subscribers can:
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the ‘Watch’ section to catch the build from 3pm on Sunday 24th May
- Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Mix channel
- Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)
*Sky iD Help: How to get or create your own Sky ID
What is NOW?
NOW is the fastest streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream, and much more.
app, so customers can register and stream instantly on more than 60 devices. It offers membership options without a contract, so customers can cancel at any time!
You can choose between a Monthly or Daily Membership. See the latest membership prices NOW.
More information about NOW can be found here.
Watch the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and the Indy 500 on the exciting weekend of May 22-24 on Sky Sports. Stream Sky Sports NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
