The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced on Wednesday that all reserved grandstand seats for the 2026 Indy 500 are now sold out. This marks the second consecutive year the iconic race has reached full capacity ahead of race day.
The 110th running of the Indy 500 will take place at the historic venue, which has a seating capacity of 250,000. However, the sprawling facility can accommodate up to 1,000,000 spectators when including the infield, where general admission tickets are available. These infield tickets attract a diverse crowd, from diehard racing fans to partygoers who prioritize the festive atmosphere over the on-track action.
According to estimates from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the total attendance for this year’s race is expected to range between 300,000 and 350,000 people.
"The Roger Penske-owned track has undergone many improvements since he took it over in 2020, overhauling infrastructure, seating areas, screens, and redoing many aspects that had been neglected for decades."
While the venue has seen significant upgrades under Penske’s leadership, some fans have noted the need for additional and larger screens to enhance the viewing experience from the stands. Improvements in this area are anticipated in the future.
In a related development, the local TV blackout for the Indy 500 has been lifted due to the sold-out event. This means that residents of Indiana—who are typically unable to watch the race live on TV if they live within a certain radius of the track—will now have the opportunity to follow the race in real time.
This milestone reflects the growing popularity of IndyCar racing, which continues to expand its fan base year over year.