Indianapolis 500 Start Time 2025: TV Schedule, Channel & How to Watch Live

The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday, May 25, 2025, and the all-important start time is 12:45 p.m. ET (green-flag drop). National TV coverage on FOX begins with an expanded prerace show at 10 a.m. ET, giving fans more than two hours of pageantry before engines roar to life. Why the Indy 500 start time matters For many viewers, “What time does the Indy 500 start?” is the first question of Memorial Day weekend. The 12:45 p.m. green flag keeps the tradition of a midday start, balancing cooler track temps for drivers with a convenient viewing window for audiences across U.S. time zones. Race-day schedule (all times Eastern) • 6:00 a.m. – Gates open at Indianapolis Motor Speedway • 10:00 a.m. – FOX prerace broadcast, National Anthem rehearsal, driver introductions • 12:15 p.m. – Command to start engines • 12:45 p.m. – Green flag for the Indianapolis 500 • Approx. 3:45 p.m. – Checkered flag (200 laps / 500 miles) • 4:00 p.m. – Victory lane celebration How to watch and stream Television: FOX (check local affiliates) Streaming: Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling Blue, YouTube TV, and the FOX Sports app (authentication required). International viewers can tune in via Sky Sports (UK) and TSN (Canada). Global start-time conversions • 11:45 a.m. CT (Chicago) • 10:45 a.m. MT (Denver) • 9:45 a.m. PT (Los Angeles) • 5:45 p.m. BST (London) • 2:45 a.m. AEST, Mon. May 26 (Sydney) On-track storylines to watch • Defending champion Josef Newgarden aims for back-to-back titles, a feat last accomplished by Helio Castroneves in 2001–02. • Rookie sensation Jamie Chadwick makes her Indy 500 debut after clinching Indy NXT wins earlier this season. • Chevrolet vs. Honda engine battle remains tight after near-identical qualifying speeds. Tips for fans heading to the Speedway • Arrive before 8 a.m. to beat traffic on 16th Street and Georgetown Road. • Clear-bag policy is enforced; coolers must be 18″ × 14″ × 14″ or smaller. • Expect temperatures in the mid-70s; pack sunscreen and stay hydrated. Frequently searched questions Q: What time does prerace coverage start? A: 10 a.m. ET on FOX with the traditional singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” shortly after noon. Q: When will the Borg-Warner Trophy presentation occur? A: Roughly 30 minutes after the checkered flag on the Yard of Bricks. Bottom line Set your alarms, charge your streaming devices, and mark 12:45 p.m. ET on the calendar—because that’s when the 2025 Indianapolis 500 start time brings the Greatest Spectacle in Racing back to full throttle.