Indy 500 2027 guide: how to get in, park, camp and enjoy race day

Indy 500 2027 guide: what to settle first

Before you think about coolers or camping, settle three things: which days you will attend, what kind of seat you want and how you will get to the venue. Race day is Sunday 30 May 2027, and the Speedway has confirmed the month of May window from 18 to 30 May. For the event itself, history and seating, read the main page on the Indianapolis 500.

One important caveat: when we checked, the Speedway's parking and shuttle pages still showed 2026 dates. The patterns below are a good planning base, but treat every lot name and rule as something to confirm once 2027 pages appear. Session times are not published either, and the organiser normally releases them a few weeks before the event.

Getting to the track: an Indy 500 guide to transport

Airport and downtown shuttles for the Indy 500 guide

Indianapolis International Airport is the main arrival point. In 2026 the Speedway ran paid shuttles from an airport location and from a downtown parking site, starting early in the morning, then running until the green flag and again from about 50 laps from the end until two hours after the race. This is useful if you prefer not to drive to the circuit.

Rideshare and bikes in this Indy 500 guide

Taxis and rideshare services used a designated drop-off and pick-up point on race day, with another location on other days. Cyclists had a race-day route with a police escort to Gate 1 and bike parking outside several gates, but bikes could not enter the venue. Public bus service was not confirmed on the Speedway's pages, so do not rely on it without checking.

Parking at the Brickyard: the Indy 500 guide to lots

Race-day lots in the Indy 500 2027 guide

The Speedway listed several race-day lots, along with infield options at Turn 3, Turn 4, 5th and Hulman and Lakeside Tailgating. Vehicles had to fit within a 10 by 20 feet space, and buses and box trucks were not allowed. Because lot numbers can change, buy parking only when the 2027 map is live.

Leaving the Indy 500 guide: exit planning

Leaving can take up to an hour after the race. Fans who wish to avoid the queue often wait inside, enjoy the infield atmosphere and then drive away once traffic eases. Carb Day and Legends Day have both free and paid parking options, which makes them gentler introductions to the venue.

Camping at the Speedway: Indy 500 2027 guide

The Speedway offers on-track camping for RVs, pull-behind trailers and tents. In 2026, RV lots included 1A, 1C, 2, 4, 4 Premium, 5, 6, 9, 3G and 3P, while tent camping was available in 1A, 1C, 2, 3G and 4. A typical pass ran from Thursday to Monday, with an RV pass including six wristbands and a tent pass four. Showers were located in Lots 1A and 2, and campers had to stay in their site between 1 am and gate opening.

These were the 2026 rules, so verify them for 2027. An off-site option, American Legion Post 500, has also been listed in connection with another Speedway event, so check whether it applies in May. If you enjoy camping, compare this experience with the Silverstone camping guide, which shows how different race-weekend camps can be.

Infield tips from this Indy 500 guide

General Admission and the Indy 500 infield

The infield holds General Admission viewing mounds and tailgating areas. Children aged 15 and under are free with a paying GA adult. Bring a folding chair if the rules allow, as it will be your base for the day.

The Snake Pit in the Indy 500 guide

The Snake Pit concert area has stricter rules than other zones: no coolers in pit sections, and no professional cameras or lawn furniture in certain zones. Read the guidelines before you plan a day there with a cooler or a camera bag.

Gate rules and what to pack: Indy 500 guide checklist

• Coolers up to 18 by 15 by 15 inches, hard or soft, were allowed.
• Beer and wine were permitted in non-glass containers.
• No glass, drones, aerosol cans (sunscreen was the exception) or selfie sticks.
• Smoking was not permitted in grandstands or seating areas.

Add ear defences, a hat, sunscreen in a non-aerosol form where possible, a rain layer and comfortable shoes, since you will walk a lot on a venue of this size. Check each rule again for 2027 before you travel.

Where to stay: Indy 500 guide to accommodation

Staying in Indianapolis for the Indy 500 guide

The Speedway is in the town of Speedway, about six miles west of central Indianapolis. Many visitors choose a base in the city, where restaurants, nightlife and shuttle pick-ups are concentrated, then travel to the track each day. Book early and keep the booking flexible until you hold tickets, because May is the busiest month of the year for the area.

Staying near the track in the Indy 500 guide

Accommodation closer to the venue saves time on race day but fills first. If you want to be inside the grounds, camping removes the commute entirely. Neighbourhoods and towns around the city also work well if you have a car and accept a longer drive.

Indy 500 guide for first-timers and families

First-time visitors are often surprised by the scale of the venue. The grounds are large, the walk between gates and seats can be long, and the noise is intense, so ear protection matters, especially for children. Aim to be in your seat before the pre-race ceremonies, because they are part of the show.

Families can use the rule that children aged 15 and under are free with a paying General Admission adult. Agree on a meeting point in case you become separated, keep snacks within the cooler rules and plan quiet breaks. The weather in late May can bring warm sun or a sudden storm, so bring both sun protection and a rain layer.

A sample race-day plan for the Indy 500 guide

1. Arrive early, ideally before the main crowds, using your chosen shuttle or lot.
2. Walk the grounds first: the start-finish line, the Pagoda and Gasoline Alley.
3. Take your seat well before the pre-race ceremonies.
4. Stay for the finish and the milk ceremony, then let traffic ease.

If you prefer a quieter day, Carb Day on 28 May and Legends Day on 29 May fall just before the race. They are good for exploring, and they are separate from your race ticket.

Tickets, alerts and next steps for the Indy 500 guide

Seats, parking and camping are booked separately. For tickets, use the Tickets button on the Indianapolis 500 page, where current categories are listed. We never show prices here because they change with the area and the sales period.

For a view of the whole season, visit the IndyCar 2027 schedule. General planning advice is in our travel guides and the tickets FAQ.