Indianapolis 500 2025: What you need to know to go to the race

🎟️ Gates open at 6am.

• Things inside the track, including the Midway, retail shops and food stands open at the same time.
• 💭 Our thought bubble: The new, elevated retail shop in the Midway area is worth a visit. There's trendy stuff you won't find anywhere else.

🟢 The green flag drops at 12:45 (weather permitting).

• Drivers grid on the front stretch at 10:30am.
• Driver introductions are at 11:47am.
• The National Anthem will be sung at 12:24pm.
• "Back Home Again in Indiana" is slated for 12:36pm.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 There's a sellout crowd, so IMS is encouraging fans to arrive even earlier than usual.

💳 The speedway is cashless.

🌥️ Temperatures are forecasted to be pretty mild but that doesn't mean you don't need to drink water.

• Tracy Ballard, clinic operations manager for the IMS infield care center and IndyCar, told Axios they see between 100 and 300 fans every year on race day.
• "Hydration is key," she said, for avoiding a trip to see her.
• Sunscreen, too.

🥤 Pro tip: While appropriately sized coolers (no bigger than 8" x 15" x 15") full of your favorite food, pop and beer are permitted, do not bring items like glass containers, drugs, drones, weapons or your dog to IMS.

• A full list of prohibited items can be found here.
• Passes for the parking areas around IMS are sold out for race day, so be prepared to hunt for street parking or haggle with a homeowner for the right to park on their grass.

🚲 Yes, or: Bike to the 500. Bike parking is available at Gates 1, 6 and 9.