When Do 2027 Indy 500 Tickets Go on Sale?
2027 Indy 500 tickets went on sale Wednesday, October 28, 2026, through IMS.com, the official Indianapolis Motor Speedway ticket channel. Tickets are on sale now for the race on Sunday, May 30, 2027. IMS did not publish a specific launch time or time zone, so no exact drop hour is verified. General admission is listed at $55; reserved seats start at $86.
If you are planning around a major ticket drop, an announced date is only part of the picture. Renewal orders can use up seats before public sales begin, and prices can rise as the event gets closer. I’d start with the official seat map, compare the full checkout total, and treat resale listings as a separate purchase.
2027 Indy 500 Ticket Timing and Official Price Checks
The public sale is confirmed: IMS announced on October 28, 2026, that tickets for the 111th Indianapolis 500 were on sale online and through its ticket office. The race is scheduled for Sunday, May 30, 2027. IMS did not state an online launch hour; the ticket office’s 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET hours are business hours, not a confirmed web-sale start time. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
As of November 9, 2026, the official race-day page lists general admission at $55 and reserved seats starting at $86. These are different ticket types, not like-for-like seats: general admission gives access to the grounds and viewing mounds, while a reserved ticket includes general admission access plus a seat in a designated stand. Check the seat map and final checkout price before you decide. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
IMS says the available 2027 tickets are at their lowest remaining prices, with increases coming in 2027. It also says the $5 per-ticket service fee is waived on purchases made before January 4, 2027. That is a specific current offer, not a general coupon or discount code; confirm it appears in checkout before paying. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Expected Release Window & Timing Cadence
There is no need to project the 2027 public-sale date: IMS confirmed the sale began October 28, 2026, and its ticket page now says tickets are on sale. The past two public-sale announcements also came in late October, but neither establishes an exact release hour for future years. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
| Race year | IMS announcement date | Public sale date | Primary platform | Verified price or fee detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October 23, 2024 | October 23, 2024 | IMS.com and IMS Ticket Office | $4 per-ticket service fee waived before January 6, 2025 |
| 2026 | October 28, 2025 | October 28, 2025 | IMS.com and IMS Ticket Office | $5 per-ticket service fee waived before January 5, 2026 |
| 2027 | October 28, 2026 | October 28, 2026 | IMS.com and IMS Ticket Office | $55 general admission; reserved seats from $86; $5 fee waived before January 4, 2027 |
The announcement and sale dates come from IMS releases. The 2027 prices are listed on the live race-day ticket page; fee-waiver deadlines are from each year’s IMS announcement. The examples show an October pattern, not a guaranteed annual date or time. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
For this event, the useful calendar is not just the public sale. IMS opens renewal and ticket applications earlier for existing customers and new applicants; it processes those requests before live sales. Its application FAQ says seat assignment depends on the request, availability, and application date. That means a public sale may begin after some inventory has already been claimed. (imsdotcom.azureedge.net)
Presale Tiers, VIP Drops, & Early-Access Windows
IMS’s published early access is based on ticket renewals, applications, and seniority, not a verified-fan queue or a bank-card presale. The public documents reviewed do not list a Citi or Amex window, a public presale code, a registration cutoff, or a separate early-access clock for 2027. (imsdotcom.azureedge.net)
Existing ticket holders can renew or request changes through IMS. New customers can apply for up to three stand choices; accepted applications are charged, and IMS says those orders are final. Premium Penthouse and Deck inventory is especially limited, with upgrades handled through IMS’s seniority system. (imsdotcom.azureedge.net)
If you are buying for the first time, go straight to the live ticket listing rather than searching unofficial coupon pages for a code. IMS has not published a general-public ticket purchase limit in the sources checked, so do not assume a cart cap. If you need a group order or accessible seating, contact the ticket office at 317-492-6700, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Historical Release & Pricing Trends
Recent IMS announcements put public sales in the second half of October: October 23 for the 2025 race and October 28 for the 2026 and 2027 races. That is useful for planning next year, but it does not promise a repeated date, a fixed hour, or a set inventory level. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Prices need careful comparison. The $55 general-admission price is not a “starting seat price,” and the $86 reserved-seat figure is a starting point, not a universal rate for every stand or row. Seat location, ticket type, service fees, and inventory all affect the amount you see at checkout. Use the official map to compare the same category. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
One concrete pattern does matter to budget planning: IMS’s fee waiver has ended in early January across these announcements, while the 2027 release says prices will rise in 2027. If you already know your preferred ticket type, waiting for a later holiday sale is not a safe way to assume a lower official price. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Step-by-Step Purchasing Playbook
The safest plan is to check the IMS listing, choose the right ticket type, and verify the all-in total before submitting payment. The site currently shows race-day inventory and prices, but the seat or quantity you want can change; availability at checkout is the final check. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Before You Buy
- Open the Indy 500 ticket page from IMS.com, not from an unfamiliar email or social post.
- Decide whether you need reserved seating or general admission. Children 15 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paying adult general-admission ticket; every person, regardless of age, needs a ticket for reserved seating.
- Compare seat location, quantity, delivery options, and total cost. The listed $5 fee waiver applies only to purchases before January 4, 2027, according to IMS.
- Sign in or create your IMS account and use current payment details. IMS says tickets are mailed annually beginning in March; digital-ticket information is on its official guide. (imsdotcom.azureedge.net)
On Purchase Day
There is no verified 2027 “queue opens at” time, so avoid treating 9 a.m. ET—the ticket office’s opening—as the web launch time. Since tickets are already on sale, use the current seat listing rather than waiting for another drop. If checkout slows, avoid repeatedly opening extra tabs or submitting the same order; first check your account and email for a confirmation so you do not accidentally duplicate a purchase.
Before paying, check the ticket category, stand, seat details, quantity, and fees. IMS terms say sales are final and fees are non-refundable. Take a moment to make sure the order matches your plan, especially if you are purchasing different types of admission for the group. (imsdotcom.azureedge.net)
After Checkout
Save the order confirmation and review your IMS account for the ticket record. If you do not see a confirmation, contact IMS before placing another order. The ticket office can be reached at 317-492-6700 during weekday business hours, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Secondary Markets, Resale Timing, & Markdown Trajectories
The official IMS Ticket Marketplace is the IMS-verified resale option for Indy 500 race-day reserved seats, parking, and camping. Its 2027 marketplace opened November 4, 2026; listings are made by fans, and IMS says buyers receive guaranteed tickets. The marketplace is separate from primary inventory. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
The marketplace adds a 10% fee to the seller’s listing price, plus a $5 standard per-ticket fee; paper-ticket orders can have an additional $10 order fee and shipping charges. Compare the final total with a similar primary-market ticket before buying. The official marketplace’s reserved-seat listings close May 26, 2027, while parking and camping listings close March 1, 2027. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
I would not count on a predictable resale price drop as race day approaches. IMS sets a minimum listing price that can change, and third-party marketplaces have their own fees and terms. IMS states buyers take on risks when purchasing from third-party sources, so confirm the exact ticket, transfer method, and buyer-protection terms on that platform. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Real-World Purchasing Scenario & Strategy Breakdown
A useful example is the 2027 public sale itself. IMS announced limited Indy 500 inventory on October 28, 2026, while saying customers could buy through IMS.com or the ticket office. It also set a January 4, 2027 deadline for waiving the $5 per-ticket fee. The announcement did not promise a particular seat would remain available. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
A buyer who waited for a rumored “better” launch time could miss a seat they wanted, while a buyer who rushed might mistake general admission for a reserved seat or overlook fees. A steadier approach is to decide on the ticket type first, compare the current seat map, then complete checkout through IMS and confirm the final total.
If your preferred reserved section is not listed, compare other stands before jumping to resale. For resale, start with the IMS Marketplace and compare like-for-like seats after the 10% and per-ticket fees. That avoids judging a resale ticket by its headline price alone. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 2027 Indy 500 tickets on sale now?
Yes. IMS announced the public sale on October 28, 2026, and its official race-day page lists tickets for the Sunday, May 30, 2027 race. The page lists general admission at $55 and reserved seats starting at $86; check the live seat map for current availability and checkout totals. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
What time did the 2027 Indy 500 ticket sale begin?
IMS’s October 28 announcement confirms the date, but does not give an online drop time or time zone. The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET; that is not a confirmed online-sale launch time. Tickets are now available through IMS’s official channel. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
What is the official 2027 Indy 500 ticket website?
Buy directly through Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s official ticket pages at IMS.com. The race-day listing links to available seats and general admission, and the ticket office also sells by phone at 317-492-6700 during weekday business hours. Avoid lookalike sites and compare fees before paying. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
How much do 2027 Indy 500 tickets cost?
As of November 9, 2026, IMS lists general admission at $55 and reserved seating starting at $86. They provide different access: general admission includes grounds and viewing mounds, while reserved seats add a designated stand seat. Check your selected ticket and final fee total at checkout. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Is there a 2027 Indy 500 presale code?
IMS’s published materials describe renewals and applications before public live sales, but do not list a general-public presale code or a bank-card presale for the 2027 race. Existing customers may renew or request changes; first-time buyers can check current live inventory through IMS.com. (imsdotcom.azureedge.net)
When does the $5 ticket fee waiver end?
IMS says the $5 per-ticket service fee is waived on 2027 event purchases made before January 4, 2027. Check that the fee is removed in the official checkout before you pay. The announced waiver is not a coupon code, and it does not guarantee a particular seat will remain available. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Can children attend the Indy 500 for free?
Children ages 15 and under are admitted free in general-admission areas when accompanied by an adult with a paid general-admission ticket. In reserved seating areas, every person, regardless of age, must have a reserved-seat ticket. Check the ticket type carefully when buying for a family. (imsdotcom.azureedge.net)
Is the IMS Ticket Marketplace a safe place to buy resale tickets?
IMS identifies its Ticket Marketplace as its official verified resale platform for race-day reserved seats, parking, and camping. IMS says marketplace buyers receive guaranteed tickets. Buyers pay a 10% fee plus a $5 per-ticket fee, so compare the full total with primary tickets before purchase. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael T. Hargrove. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
