How to watch Indy 500 2026: live streams, preview for IndyCar race

Alex Palou celebrates taking pole position for the 2026 Indy 500
(Image credit: Brandon Badraoui/Lumen via Getty Images)

Alex Palou is aiming to become the seventh driver to win back-to-back editions of the Indy 500 this weekend, and only the third to achieve the feat this century, after Helio Castroneves and Josef Newgarden. They're three of nine Indianapolis 500 winners on the 33-driver grid, which also features five IndyCar Series champions.

You can watch Indy 500 2026 live streams from anywhere with a VPN.

Indy 500 2026 live streams: TV schedule, dates

The 2026 Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, May 24.
► Time — 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT / 5:45 p.m. BST / 2:45 a.m. AEST (Mon.)
U.S.FOX One / FOX via Sling TV
• Watch anywhereTry NordVPN 100% risk free

The Indy 500 transcends the IndyCar Series, in that it serves as one leg of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, the others being the 24 Hours of Le Mans and, depending on your interpretation, either the F1 drivers' title or the Monaco Grand Prix. Many have tried, but only Graham Hill has won them all.

Although the 110th running of the Indy 500 carries no clear Triple Crown implications, at least for now, a successful title defense would go down as an extra special achievement in itself. Castroneves, incidentally, was the last reigning champion to take pole, all the way back in 2010, as told by Palou's unbridled joy in the immediate aftermath of qualifying.

He shares the front row with 2016 winner Alexander Rossi — who had to undergo hand and ankle surgery in midweek after a nasty crash last Sunday that also involved Pato O’Ward and Romain Grosjean — and David Malukas. Six different teams, meanwhile, are represented in the front two rows.

Here's how to watch Indy 500 2026 live streams from anywhere.

How to watch Indy 500 2026 from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the race on your usual subscription?

You can still stream Indy 500 2026 live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:

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How to watch Indy 500 2026 live streams in the U.S.

US flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In the U.S., the 2026 Indy 500 is being shown on FOX.

If you've already cut the cord and don't have a cable package, you can get the channel through an OTT cable TV alternative.

Sling will give you the most bang for your buck. Sling Blue includes local network affiliates from FOX, NBC and ABC (availability varies by market), plus FS1, FX, USA Network, TBS and more.

Prices start at $46/month.

Sling TV

You can get FOX on the Sling TV Blue package, which also carries ABC, NBC, USA Network, FS1 and FX.

FOX will also simulcast its Indy 500 coverage on FOX One, which costs $19.99/month or $199.99/year after a 3-day FREE trial.

If you have a subscription but you're not in the U.S. right now, try using NordVPN to watch the Indianapolis 500 as if you were back at home.

How to watch Indy 500 2026 live streams in the U.K.

British flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In the U.K., the Indy 500 is being shown on Sky Sports, via the Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports F1 channels.

Sky Sports packages start from £20/month if you're an existing customer — ot check out Sky TV deals and packages if you want to sign up. Alternatively, Now Sports offers Daily, Monthly and Annual passes. Prices start at £14.99 for 24-hour access.

If you're not in the U.K. right now but already subscribe to Sky Sports or Now, try using NordVPN to watch the Indy Car race as if you were back at home.

How to watch Indy 500 2026 live streams in Canada

Canadian flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The Indy 500 is being shown on TSN 3 in Canada.

TSN+ grants access to everything TSN has to offer for $8/month or $80/year.

If you live in Canada but aren't at home right now, you can still watch Indianapolis 500 live streams by using a quality VPN like NordVPN to unlock your usual service.

How to watch Indy 500 2026 live streams in Australia

Australia flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In Australia, the 2026 Indy 500 is available to watch on Stan Sport.

A subscription costs AU$20/month on top of a Stan plan, which itself starts at AU$12/month.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your account as if you were back home.

Who is in pole position for Indy 500 2026?

Reigning champion Alex Palou topped Qualifying to secure his second career pole at the Indy 500. He shares the front row of the grid with 2016 winner Alexander Rossi and David Malukas.

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Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Aatif Sulleyman

Aatif is a freelance journalist and copywriter based in the UK. He’s written about technology, sport and politics for a wide range of publications including TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?, The Independent, Trusted Reviews, and Newsweek. These days, he focuses mainly on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: live TV and penny-pinching. When he's not attending a top-flight English soccer match, you can find him perfecting his table tennis skills.

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