The world-renown Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 28, 2023. NBC holds exclusive rights to broadcast the event, but is only available to US cable subscribers. So what if you’re not in the US for Indy 500? Or what if you’re in Indianapolis, where there’s a TV blackout in effect for the race?
You can get around geo-restrictions with a VPN and a Peacock subscription. Here’s how:
- Get a VPN subscription. NordVPN was the best pick to unblock streaming sites like Peacock.
- Download and install the VPN app on whatever device you want to watch Indy 500.
- Connect to a server in the US. Pick one that’s as close to you as possible, to avoid any buffering when watching the race. Just don’t pick one in Indianapolis.
- Subscribe to Peacock. They have plans as cheap as $4.99 per month.
- Open the IndyCar stream on Sunday, May 28. The green flag is at 12:45 PM (ET), and coverage starts at 11:00 AM (ET).
If you want to find out more about IndyCar, who’s racing on Sunday, and how to watch the 107th Indy 500, our article has all the information you need.
The Indy 500, aka the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Tens of thousands of people show up to watch the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and millions more tune in from their homes across the world.
But what if you can’t join in on the fun? Many fans can’t watch the Indy 500 because of where they live. It’s a common problem, especially if you’re traveling. Of course, those living in Indianapolis know all about the market blackouts that come with the Indy 500.
Our article will teach you everything you need to know about geo-restrictions and how to unblock any stream on race day.
How to Watch the Indy 500 From Anywhere
The Indy 500 is streaming on NBC, which is the best place to watch it if you have cable. The race will begin broadcasting at 11:00 AM (ET) on Sunday, May 28, during Memorial Day Weekend.
If you don’t have cable, you can watch the race on streaming platforms like Sling TV, Fubo TV, and Peacock. These are only available in the U.S., and let you watch cable online for a fee.
Don’t worry if you’re not in the U.S. or if you’re watching online in Indianapolis. You can still access these platforms with a VPN, which will change your IP address and hide your real location. Here’s how to do that:
- Get a VPN subscription. We recommend NordVPN for streaming the Indy 500. In our testing, we’ve found its American servers are up to the task of HD live streaming, no matter where you are in the world. We’ve used NordVPN to access American streaming platforms from India, South Africa and Southeast Asia, and had a seamless experience.
- Install the VPN on whatever device you plan to watch the race on. Here are some of the platforms that support NordVPN:
- Open the app and log in with the same credentials you used when subscribing.
- Connect to a server in the US. Just make sure it’s not a server in Indianapolis!
- Sign up for a Peacock account. Keep in mind that you’ll need a US-based payment method to do so.
- Tune into Peacock at 11:00 AM (ET) for coverage this Sunday! The green flag is at 12:45 PM (ET).
Stream the Indianapolis 500 Race Worldwide
If you need a streaming “backup car,” there are other places where you can watch the Indy 500 in the United States, like SlingTV or fuboTV. You can also try one of IndyCar’s international broadcasters. Here are some of your options.
Where to stream the Indy 500 in the USA
If you live in the U.S., the event will be broadcast on NBC starting at 11:00 AM (ET). To watch online, the best route is Peacock, although you can also use any live TV streaming service that features NBC.
If you’re not hot on Peacock, you can try these alternatives:
- Sling TV (Select markets)
- fubo TV
- Hulu Live TV
- YouTube TV
- IndyCar App
If you’re traveling outside the U.S. (or you’re in Indianapolis), remember that you can use NordVPN to get a United States IP address and watch the Indy 500.
How to stream the 2023 Indy 500 in Canada
IndyCar fans in Canada can watch with TSN on cable, or use their TSN+ streaming player. If you’re outside Canadian borders during the race, you can follow these steps:
- Open NordVPN and connect to a server in Canada.
- Visit TSN+.
- Look for their coverage of the Indianapolis 500.
Enjoy the race!
How to stream the Indianapolis 500 in the U.K.
Sky Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights for the Indy 500 in the U.K. To watch online, you can get a NOW Sports monthly subscription for £34.99 or a daily NOW Sports pass for £11.98. These will give fans access to all 11 Sky Sports channels.
Those traveling outside the U.K. can access their accounts by following these steps:
- Get NordVPN and connect to one of their servers in the U.K.
- Visit NOW Sky Sports.
- Tune into the Sky Sports F1 to catch the Indy 500.
Where to Watch Indy 500 in Australia
Stan Sport is the official Indy 500 broadcaster in Australia. The race will begin broadcasting at 11 pm AEST on Sunday, May 28 and the live stream is not hard to access. Stan Sport is an affordable online streaming platform, with plans as cheap as $10 per month. The streaming platform also offers generous free trials, so Australians looking to watch the Indy 500 are in luck.
Just follow this quick guide if you’re outside the country during the event.
- Get NordVPN and connect to an Aussie server.
- Visit Stan Sport.
- Track down the 2023 Indy 500.
These aren’t the only international broadcasters for the event. If we haven’t nailed down your region, take a look at this comprehensive list of ways to watch internationally. Oftentimes you can use a VPN to access sites while you’re away from home.
Free Indy 500 Streams: Can You Watch the Indy 500 for Free?
The official broadcasters of the Indy 500 won’t make it available for free. Whether you watch it on cable, SlingTV, or online streaming platforms like Peacock, you’ll have to pay a fee. So is it impossible to watch the Indy 500 for free?
The Indy 500 might be available on some free sports streaming sites. However, if streaming from unofficial sources is illegal where you live, we advise against it. You can be throttled, fined, or even prosecuted for illegally accessing copyrighted content.
Even if unofficial streaming is legal where you live, we still recommend using an official source. That’s because streaming from unofficial sources can be risky. These sites often feature invasive advertising, which may hide malware behind their links. Plus, all the sites you visit can see your IP address and other crucial information.
From our research, streaming through unofficial free sites comes with too many security and privacy downsides. So even if you can access them legally, make sure you always use NordVPN. A good VPN provider isn’t just about unblocking content. Its advanced encryption and cybersecurity protocols will protect your identity and secure your connection while visiting such sites.
The Best VPN for Watching Indianapolis 500
Not all VPNs can unblock geographical restrictions. Platforms like Sling TV, Peacock, or Stan Sport might take active measures to block VPNs. That’s why you can’t rely on weak VPNs to watch the Indianapolis 500.
You might not have the time to test dozens of VPNs and see which one works. Luckily, you don’t have to. We did the testing for you. We constantly analyze, test, and research the most popular VPNs to find out which is best at unblocking different platforms.
NordVPN performed best in our tests. Its connection speed results were top-of-the-line. If you want buffer-free sports streaming, NordVPN should be your first choice. Not to mention, NordVPN has a large server network, with great options in the US, UK, Australia, and plenty more countries. All of this for a pretty good price.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
If you’re looking for something even cheaper, Surfshark is our go-to budget alternative for sports streaming.
Can I use a free VPN to watch the Indy 500?
Free VPNs can be very attractive when trying to stream big sporting events like the Indianapolis 500. The cost of online cable can get pretty high. You don’t want to add another few dollars on top of that for a VPN. So a free VPN can help, right?
Unfortunately not. For starters, free VPNs aren’t that good at unblocking online streaming sites. They have a limited network, and often don’t have the resources to stay on top of VPN blocks.
Not to mention, free VPNs tend to have strict limits on bandwidth, and sometimes even your connection speed. This means that you’ll struggle with buffering, lag, and timed-out connections if you try to stream anything with a free VPN. Free VPNs will rarely be enough to watch the Indy 500. If you’re looking for a budget alternative, you can try one of the best cheap VPNs we’ve tested extensively.
Indianapolis 500 Schedule
The Indianapolis 500 race will see its 107th waving of the green flag on Sunday, May 28, 2023. However, there’s a long road ahead for the top contenders. The IndyCar Series started in March, and we still have a few events to go through before the big race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Here’s an overview of everything happening at the IMS:
| Date | Time (ET) | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 22, 2023 | 11:00 AM | Indianapolis 500 Practice |
| Friday, May 26, 2023 | 8:00 AM | Miller Lite Carb Day |
| Saturday, May 27, 2023 | 8:00 AM | Legends Day |
| Sunday, May 28, 2023 | 11:00 AM | Indianapolis 500 Race Day |
Indy 500 2023 Preview
The IndyCar series has been a thrill to watch so far. After four days of qualifications and numerous practice runs, the Indy Car racers will hit the track of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this Sunday, May 28, starting at 11 AM (ET). This will kick off the 107th edition of the Indy 500, which promises 200 laps and 500 miles of excitement for anyone watching at home.
The racer storylines don’t disappoint, either. Scott Dixon is gearing up for another successful run. After topping the charts in previous years and winning the Indy 500 in 2018, he’s been performing phenomenally so far in 2023’s IndyCar.
The Penske team has been lagging behind these past few weeks, and their starting positions are not ideal. However, with two drivers that have won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the past, you can’t take them out of the equation yet.
We also have a lot of new names proving themselves on the track. Starting on the front row along Scott Dixon are Colton Herta, Rinus VeeKay, and Alex Palou, all young guns in their early twenties. Alex Palou starts in the pole position, after winning last weekend’s Grand Prix on the IMS road course, with an average speed of 234.217 mph.
The practice runs haven’t been without incident. Unfortunately, Stefan Wilson suffered a fractured vertebra in a crash earlier this week, so he won’t be competing on Memorial Day weekend. He was the only driver that was seriously injured after the crash, and Graham Rahal will replace Stefan Wilson on race day.
In Short: Live Streaming the Indy 500 in 2023
The 107th edition of the Indy 500 promises to deliver one of the most spectacular editions of the Indianapolis 500. This go-around, 33 drivers and eight former champions will hit the gas pedal on Sunday, May 28, and we’re excited to see who comes out on top.
If you’re as excited as we are, NBC is the best place to watch the event in the U.S. If you’re outside the country at that time, or if the Indy 500 doesn’t stream where you live, you can still watch the show. You’ll just need a VPN to change your IP address to access Peacock and NBC Sports content.
To get off to the races, you’ll just need to:
- Get NordVPN.
- Connect to a server in the U.S. (other than Indianapolis).
- Visit Peacock TV.
Luckily, you can use a VPN for a lot more than just watching the Indy 500. Find out more from our other streaming articles:
If you’re still unsure about how to use a VPN to watch the Indy 500, don’t worry. Our FAQ section below should make everything clear.
You can stream the Indy 500 in a lot of ways, depending on where you live. The Indy 500 will stream on:
- NBC and Peacock (United States)
- Sky Sports F1 (United Kingdom)
- Stan Sport (Australia)
If you’re not in one of those countries on Sunday, May 28, and haven’t found a working stream, you can use a VPN to change your IP address and access these sites regardless of your actual location.
The 107th edition of the Indy 500 will stream on Peacock. In fact, there’s an exclusive Peacock precoverage of the event starting two hours before the race. Unfortunately, Peacock isn’t available worldwide, so you’ll need to find some workarounds if the site’s not accessible in your location. Find out how to watch the Indy 500 from anywhere.
There is an archive of older Indy 500 events on Amazon Prime. You can watch Indy 500 races from 1991 to 2009 on the streaming platform. Unfortunately, there is no live coverage of Indianapolis 500 events on the site. For that, you’ll need to access NBC sports.
The 107th race of the Indianapolis 500 will abide by the race’s long tradition of TV blackout in Indianapolis. So if you live there, you can either buy a ticket to see the race live, or use a VPN to change your location and watch the Indy 500 no matter where you are.
