Circuit · Motorsport
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the largest sports venue on earth and it does not feel like an exaggeration when you walk in. The two and a half mile oval encloses an infield big enough to contain a golf course, and on race day in late May the combined crowd makes the Indianapolis 500 the largest single day sporting event anywhere. The track sits in Speedway, a small incorporated town within Indianapolis rather than in the city centre, and the surrounding residential streets become part of the event.
Approximately 257,000 permanent grandstand seats, which makes this the largest sports venue in the world by seating. Infield admission pushes race day attendance considerably higher.
What happens here
The teams and events that put this venue on a fan travel itinerary.
Home teams
No permanent club tenant. This venue operates on an event calendar, so what is on depends entirely on the date you are travelling.
Major events
- Indianapolis 500
- NASCAR at the Brickyard
- IndyCar road course events
How it got here
The history that still shapes what you see on a visit.
The Speedway opened in 1909 and was surfaced with 3.2 million bricks after the original crushed stone surface proved lethal, which is where the Brickyard nickname comes from. A yard of the original brick remains exposed at the start finish line and winners traditionally kneel to kiss it. The first Indianapolis 500 was run in 1911. NASCAR arrived in 1994, and a road course laid out inside and around the oval hosted the United States Grand Prix from 2000 to 2007.
Getting there
Including what changes on the way out, which is usually the harder half.
Transit summary
There is no rail service to the Speedway and no meaningful public transport on race day beyond special event shuttles. The track is about fifteen to twenty minutes northwest of downtown Indianapolis in normal traffic and considerably longer on a race morning. Most visitors base downtown, which is compact and walkable, and travel out for the event itself.
Parking and rideshare
Official lots are extensive but fill early and the approach roads back up for miles on race morning. Residents in the surrounding streets sell parking on their own driveways and lawns, which is a long standing local tradition, usually cash, and often much faster to leave from than the official lots. Rideshare pickup zones are staged well away from the gates and surge severely after the race.
Where to stay, eat and drink
Nearby hotel areas
- Downtown Indianapolis Mile Square (best base, walkable city centre, 15 to 20 minutes from the track)
- Speedway itself and the airport corridor (closest to the gates, thin stock, race week pricing and minimum stays)
- Massachusetts Avenue and the near northside (best bars and restaurants, short ride downtown)
- Broad Ripple (nightlife district north of the centre, better value outside race week)
- Carmel and the northern suburbs (chain stock, cheaper during race week, requires a drive)
Bars and restaurants nearby
- Main Street in Speedway, immediately outside the track, which becomes the centre of race week
- Georgia Street and the Wholesale District downtown, the main sports bar corridor
- Massachusetts Avenue for the best restaurants and bars in the city
- Fountain Square for independent bars and music away from the event crowd
Tours and visits
The Speedway runs a museum on the grounds and offers track tours, including a lap of the oval by bus and a kiss the bricks stop at the start finish line. Access varies with the event schedule and the museum has been through renovation work, so check current opening before travelling for it specifically.
Practical tips
Planning a visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- The Speedway is in the town of Speedway, not downtown Indianapolis. Build in the drive and expect the last two miles to take longer than the first ten.
- Grandstand and infield are two completely different days out. The infield is a festival, the grandstands are where you actually watch the race. Decide before you buy.
- Race weekend transforms Indianapolis hotel pricing, minimum stays and cancellation terms. Book months ahead or stay well outside the city.
- Coolers within the published size limit are permitted at major events, which is rare and saves a lot of money on a long, hot day.
- Late May in Indiana can be hot and humid with thunderstorms. Grandstand seating is largely unshaded and the day is a long one.
Bags, security and accessibility
A clear bag policy applies on major event days and coolers are permitted within a published size limit, which is unusual and worth knowing. Accessible seating and transport around the grounds are available and need arranging in advance, because the site is genuinely vast and the distances between gates and grandstands are long.
Related destinations
The wider city guide around this venue
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
Is Indianapolis Motor Speedway really the largest sports venue in the world?+
By permanent seating, yes. It has roughly 257,000 grandstand seats, and infield admission on race day pushes the total crowd well beyond that, which makes the Indianapolis 500 the largest single day sporting event anywhere.
Why is it called the Brickyard?+
The track was paved with 3.2 million bricks in 1909 after the original surface proved dangerous. A yard of the original brick is still exposed at the start finish line, and kissing it is the traditional winner’s celebration.
Did Formula 1 ever race at Indianapolis?+
Yes. The United States Grand Prix was held there from 2000 to 2007 on a road course that used part of the oval, running in the opposite direction to the 500 through the main straight.
Last updated August 19, 2026
Sources and verification
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway official event, ticket and museum information
- Visit Indy destination and travel information
Capacity figures are approximate and configuration-dependent. Transit routes, bag policies, and tour access change around fixtures and construction. Verify before travel.
FanForged is an independent sports travel and fan guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any event organiser, league, federation, team, venue, or rights holder. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
FanForged has no affiliation with Indianapolis Motor Speedway, its operator, or any team or event staged there. Venue names are used descriptively and no venue marks are reproduced here.