Indy 500 grandstands sell out again, local TV blackout lifted for 2026

INDIANAPOLIS – For the second year in a row, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has sold out its grandstand seating for the Indianapolis 500 . With the sellout, Penske Entertainment has again lifted the central Indiana television blackout of the race. IMS has sold all of its more than 230,000 grandstand seats, as it could sell out general admission infield tickets for the first time since 2016.

Last year, which was the first grandstand sellout since 2016, IMS sold out those tickets five days before race day. With grandstand tickets selling out before qualifying, the infield could come next. "Anticipation for race day is approaching an all-time high right here in central Indiana andacross the globe," IMS and IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release.

"We can’t thank the world’s greatest and most loyal fans enough. The stars of the NTT IndyCar Series are ready for an unparalleled showcase of speed, bravery and competition in front of a historic and massive crowd. " This will be the ninth time that local fans will be able to watch the race live on television, and the sixth time this decade.

The race was televised locally in 1949 and 1950 before IMS enacted its blackout rules . It was not lifted again until the 2016 sellout for the 100th edition of the race. The blackout was lifted in 2020 when no fans were able to attend the race (which occurred in August) due to COVID-19, and again in 2021 when only 135,000 tickets were allowed to be sold.