Watch the 110th Indy 500 Live & Free From Anywhere!

There’s a unique rumble that vibrates through the asphalt at 16th and Georgetown every May. It’s the sound of 33 engines and over a century of racing heritage colliding. For fans, the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24, 2026, is the ultimate pilgrimage. However, for those of us trying to catch the action from our living rooms especially without a $100 cable subscription—the race can feel like it’s locked behind a digital fortress.

The good news? The 2026 media landscape has shifted in favor of the “cord-cutter.” With a new network-first broadcast deal and some clever VPN maneuvers, you can bypass the paywalls. Whether you’re sitting in a London flat, a Sydney beach house, or a hotel room in Tokyo, here is exactly how to watch the 2026 Indy 500 for free.

The 2026 Broadcast Shift: FOX Takes the Wheel

For the first time in years, IndyCar has abandoned the fragmented cable model. In 2026, FOX is the exclusive home of the NTT IndyCar Series. This is a massive win because, unlike previous years where half the races were buried on premium cable, all 17 championship rounds—plus the critical Indy 500 qualifying sessions are being aired on the main FOX broadcast network.

This “network-only” strategy is designed to piggyback off the massive audience for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which FOX also holds the rights. By positioning the Indy 500 as a premier global event alongside the World Cup, the series is more accessible than ever via free-to-air (FTA) channels.

Quick Breakdown: Where to Stream

• Official US Stream: FOXSports.com / FOX Sports App
• Live TV Services: FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
• International Direct: IndyCar Live (Available in select “dark” markets)

How to Watch the Indy 500 for Free with a VPN

If you are outside the United States, you’ll find that the FOX website will block you immediately. This is because your IP address reveals you aren’t in a supported region. By using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can “tunnel” your connection through a server in the US, tricking the site into granting you access.

My Top Recommendation: NordVPN

In my testing for 2026 sports events, NordVPN consistently outpaces the competition. It’s fast enough to handle the 230-mph onboard camera feeds without buffering, and it’s one of the few services that consistently evades FOX’s VPN detection software.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unblocking the Race

1. Subscribe to a premium VPN. I recommend NordVPN for its reliability with FOX Sports.

2. Install the app on your preferred viewing device (PC, Mac, Android, or iOS).
3. Connect to a United States server. I suggest a server in a major city like New York or Chicago to ensure a stable high-bandwidth connection.
4. Open an Incognito/Private browser window. This prevents the site from reading old location data stored in your cookies.
5. Navigate to FOXSports.com and start the stream.

Beating the “5-Minute” Preview Pass Trap

Here is the “pro-tip” that will save your race day. FOX typically offers a free “Preview Pass” on their website. In previous seasons, this was 60 minutes long. However, as of early 2026, FOX has updated its security to limit this to a 5-minute preview for many users to force cable logins.

The Workaround: The timer is tracked through your IP address and browser cookies. Once your preview time expires:

1. Close your browser.
2. Clear your browser cookies/cache (or simply use a new Incognito window).
3. Switch your VPN server to a different US city (e.g., move from Atlanta to Dallas).

4. Re-open the FOX stream.

By rotating through VPN servers every time the timer hits zero, you can technically watch the entire 200-lap marathon without paying for a subscription.

Alternative Free Options: Using Streaming Trials

If you find the browser-resetting method too tedious, you can utilize free trials from US-based live TV providers. These services carry the local FOX affiliate and the FS1/FS2 channels needed for “Carb Day” practice sessions.

• FuboTV (7-Day Trial): This is the best all-around option for the Month of May. It includes FS1 and FS2, which carry the final practice and the Pit Stop Challenge on May 22.
• YouTube TV (7-14 Day Trial): Great for its DVR features. If you live in a different timezone, you can record the race and watch it later.
• Hulu + Live TV (3-Day Trial): A shorter window, but very reliable. Just make sure you sign up no earlier than Friday, May 22, to ensure it lasts through race day.

Note: You will need to use your VPN to connect to a US server before visiting these sites, or the free trial offers will be hidden.

International Viewers: Where to Watch Around the World

The 2026 season has seen IndyCar expand into over 200 territories, meaning there might be a free option in your backyard.

Brazil: The Return of Free-to-Air

In a major victory for Brazilian fans, the series has returned to the Band (Bandeirantes) network. After nearly a decade away, the race is back on free terrestrial TV. If you have a VPN, you can connect to a Brazilian server and use the Bandplay app to stream the race for free, following rookie Caio Collet.

Slovakia and Central Europe

STVR (the new Slovakian broadcaster) continues to hold FTA rights for 2026. While they geo-block their live player to Slovakian residents, a VPN connection to Bratislava will allow you to watch their broadcast without a complex registration process.

The “IndyCar Live” Loophole

For fans in countries without a major TV deal (like Belgium, India, or Switzerland), the series offers IndyCar Live. This direct-to-consumer service often provides a “Register Free” tier for practice and highlights, while the “All Access” live race stream is significantly cheaper in these markets than a US cable sub (roughly €4.99/month).

What to Watch for in 2026: Drama and Tech

The 110th Running isn’t just another race; it’s a redemption story.

• The Penske Penalties: Keep an eye on Josef Newgarden and Will Power. Earlier this season, both were hit with massive penalties and $100,000 fines for illegal car modifications. They’ll be fighting from the back, adding a layer of desperation to the race.
• Driver’s Eye Tech: FOX has expanded the use of the Zeronoise micro-cameras. Six cars will now feature live, dual-stream helmet cams, giving you a terrifyingly real view of what it’s like to go four-wide into Turn 3.

Final Race Day Checklist

To ensure your stream doesn’t cut out during the final laps, follow this checklist:

1. Test your VPN a day early. Make sure you can load the FOX Sports homepage.

2. Use a Wired Connection if possible. Wi-Fi can struggle with high-bitrate 4K sports streams.
3. Sync the Audio: If you prefer the local radio call, the IndyCar Radio Network is free via the official app, which you can run as a “second screen” for live telemetry.

The green flag is scheduled to drop at approximately 12:45 PM ET on May 24. Don’t let a “Content Not Available” message keep you from history. Set up your VPN, clear your cookies, and get ready for 500 miles of chaos.

Petr

I'm Petr, and the online world has been my playground for more than 25 years. I've been working in IT since 2005, moving through development, project management, and eventually building my own services and online businesses. I create websites, launch projects, test new tools, figure out what actually works and what doesn’t, and share practical tips that save people time, money, and stress. I’ve also been actively investing since 2016. I enjoy digging into the markets, trying different platforms, and looking for long term opportunities that make real sense. For me, investing naturally fits into everything I already do online: analyzing, testing, learning, and optimizing. On this site, you’ll find straightforward articles, honest insights, and a bit of humor or irony here and there. When I’m not at the keyboard, I’m usually out on a bike trail or checking out a new golf course. And when I’m not doing that, I’m somewhere on the road with my wife and our two sons.

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