Indy 500 2024: How to Watch the Annual Race Online Without Cable
The 108th annual Indy 500 is right around the 9 degree, 12 minute corner. Here’s everything you need to know for watching the iconic race online without cable.
Where to Watch the Indianapolis 500 Online
Watch the Indy 500 on Peacock
Watch the Indy 500 on Sling Blue
Watch the Indy 500 on DirecTV Stream
Watch the Indy 500 on Fubo
Watch the Indy 500 on Hulu + Live TV
What Is the Indy 500?
The Indianapolis 500 is an annual race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Racers will circle the 2.5-mile track 200 times, reaching a total of 500 miles traveled. What’s at stake? The iconic Borg-Warner Trophy. But winners also get to experience a special Indy 500 post-win tradition: chugging a bottle of milk in the Victory Circle.
Where to Watch the 2024 Indy 500
The 2024 Indy 500 is scheduled to begin at 12:45 pm ET on Sunday, May 26 and will be televised on NBC. If you’re hoping to watch the race online, you’ll need to sign up for Peacock, or a live-TV streaming service that offers NBC. (Keep in mind, NBC is only available in certain areas, so make sure it’s offered in your ZIP code before signing up for a live-TV streaming platform.) Some live-TV streaming services, such as Fubo, even offer free trials so you can watch the Indy 500 online for free. Below we’re outlining all your options for streaming this year’s race.
How to Watch the 2024 Indy 500 Online: Peacock
Peacock is home to all things NBC, including Indy 500 coverage. If you want to watch the race live online, you’ll need to subscribe to the Peacock Premium Plus plan for $11.99/month (or, $119.99/year) to access your local NBC channel. Plus, the plan boasts ad-free streaming and the ability to download titles for on-the-go viewing. Unfortunately, Peacock does not offer a free trial, but you can cancel your subscription anytime. We recommend signing up for the race and cancelling before your first month is up to watch the Indy 500 online for just $11.99.
Watch the Indy 500 on Peacock
How to Watch the 2024 Indy 500 Online: Sling
Sling is one of the most affordable cord-cutting options for accessing NBC live. The service offers three subscriptions with different channel lineups, but the Sling Blue plan is all you’ll need to access your local NBC channel for the Indianapolis 500. (Remember, double check that Sling offers NBC in your ZIP code.) While there’s no free trial period for Sling, the live-TV streaming service is offering new users $10 off their first month, bringing Sling Blue down from $45/month to just $35/month. If you can access NBC through Sling and want a near-total replacement for cable TV, this is the most cost-effective service for watching the the Indy 500 online.
Watch the Indy 500 on Sling Blue
$45/month
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How to Watch the 2024 Indy 500 Online: DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream offers a few different subscription options for a variety of prices so you can choose whichever fits your budget. We recommend the Entertainment package since it’s the least expensive at $79.99/month and includes NBC in select markets. If you aren’t sold on Sling or Peacock and are hoping to watch the Indy 500 online elsewhere, we recommend choosing DirectTV Stream.
Watch the Indy 500 on DirecTV Stream
How to Watch the 2024 Indy 500 Online: Fubo TV
Fubo is a great way to watch the Indianapolis 500 online for free thanks to its seven-day free trial. For just $79.99/month, Fubo’s Pro plan grants subscribers access to NBC in certain markets, plus access to over 140 other channels. More good news? You can cancel and change your subscription at any time, making Fubo a super easy option for watching this year’s race.
Watch the Indy 500 on Fubo
How to Watch the 2024 Indy 500 Online: Hulu + Live TV
The Hulu + Live TV subscription is the most comprehensive plan that allows you to watch the Indy 500 online. For $76.99/month, you get tons of content with this bundle subscription — including access to the Hulu streaming library, NBC, ESPN+ and Disney+. This is a package for addressing all your cord-cutter needs, not just for watching the Indianapolis 500. If you plan on subscribing to a live-TV streaming service to replace cable, this is the best option for you. If you’re just looking for quick, cheap way to watch the race, however, we recommend one of the options listed above.
Watch the Indy 500 on Hulu + Live TV
How to Watch the 2024 Indy 500 Online for Free
If you’re hoping to watch the race for free online, you’ll need to subscribe to Fubo and enjoy it’s seven-day free trial. If you cancel your subscription before the seven days is up, you won’t be charged. The only way to watch the Indy 500 for free is by utilizing a free trial from a live-TV streaming service that offers NBC.
Watch Indy 500 Online for Free
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What Time Does the Indy 500 Start?
Coverage for the race kicks off on NBC at 11 am ET on Sunday, May 26. The actual race is scheduled to start at 12:45 pm ET and typically lasts around three hours.
How Many Laps is the Indy 500?
Racers must circle the track 200 times during the Indy 500. (No, the race does not consist of 500 laps despite the name.) So what does the 500 mean in “Indy 500,” you ask? It’s the number of miles the drivers will complete — 200 laps around a 2.5-mile track will result in 500 miles traveled.
Who Are the Top Racers in the 2024 Indy 500?
According to NBC, the top picks for this year’s race are: Spain’s Alex Palou (who won the IndyCar series in 2021 and 2023), Mexico’s Pato O’Ward (a young disruptor) and the U.S.’s Josef Newgarden ( who won the series in 2017 and 2019).
Indy 500 vs. Formula 1
The Indianapolis 500 cars are part of the IndyCar Series, a North American open-wheel series. Formula 1, however, is a worldwide series. Racers at the Indy 500 can reach speeds over 240 miles per hour on the straight portions of the track, while F1 cars can’t reach such high speeds to due to the set-up of the courses.
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