Indianapolis Motor Speedway Seating Chart
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a 2.5-mile oval at 4790 W. 16th Street in Speedway, Indiana, a town surrounded by Indianapolis. The speedway calls itself the oldest continually operating racetrack in the US. In 1909 it was repaved with 3.2 million bricks, and one yard of them remains at the start-finish line. The first Indianapolis 500 ran on May 30, 1911, and the track also hosts NASCAR's Brickyard 400. The speedway says it has more than 250,000 permanent seats, the most of any sports venue in the world.
Quick answer
Indianapolis Motor Speedway says it has more than 250,000 permanent seats, which makes it the world's largest sports seating facility. Wikipedia notes seating was cut to about 235,000 in 2013, and the 100th Indy 500 in 2016 drew about 350,000 people.
- Reserved stands include A, B, C, E, G, H, J, Paddock, the Vistas and the Terraces.
- Higher rows of the Penthouse and Box seats are partly covered.
- Coolers up to 18 by 15 by 15 inches are allowed at the Indy 500.
- The first Indianapolis 500 ran on May 30, 1911.
Planning a race-day party or team dinner? Seat 30 guests at 5 tables free, no signup.
Sections at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway names its seating by stand rather than by section, with lettered stands along the frontstretch, terraces on the inside, and Vistas around the turns. The stand names below come from the speedway's 2026 Indy 500 ticket list and race-day map.
- Frontstretch outside stands — E, B, A, Paddock, C, H and J, from Turn 1 toward Turn 4
- Penthouses — upper levels of A, B, E and Paddock, partly covered
- Inside the frontstretch — Pit Road Terrace and Tower Terrace
- Vistas — North, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast and Southwest, around the turns and ends
- Coors Light Snake Pit — an infield party area in Turn 3 with its own wristband
Best seats at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Shade and seat backs are the practical questions here. Portions of the higher Penthouse and Box rows are covered. Stands H, J and G and all the Vistas are uncovered and have no seat backs. Tower Terrace, inside the frontstretch, has benches with backs. Paddock sits opposite the Pagoda, and the Northeast Vista is sold in three parts: the turn (sections 1 to 25), the backstretch (26 to 37) and a deck.
Tips before you go
At the Indy 500, coolers up to 18 by 15 by 15 inches, hard or soft, are allowed, and beer and wine must be in non-glass containers. All bags are subject to search, oversized bags are banned, and smoking isn't allowed in the seating areas. On Indy 500 race day, parking in IMS lots must be bought ahead and cars must fit a 10 by 20 foot space. Lots may hold cars for two hours or more after the race. Fans are asked to reach the gate nearest their seats by 10 a.m.
How to read the Indianapolis Motor Speedway seating chart
Your ticket names a stand. Along the outside of the frontstretch, the map runs from E near Turn 1 through B, A, Paddock and C to H and J near Turn 4. Several of these have a Penthouse level above. Pit Road Terrace and Tower Terrace sit on the inside of the frontstretch.
The Vistas sit around the turns and ends: Southwest, South and Southeast at the south end, and Northeast, North and Northwest at the north. G Stand near Turn 2 and South Terrace also face the south end. The Snake Pit is an infield party area in Turn 3 sold by wristband.
ADA seating is offered in the A, B and Paddock Penthouses, North Vista, Paddock Box and Pit Road Terrace. It is also offered in South Terrace, South Terrace East, Tower Terrace and, on race day, the Northeast Vista. Elevators serve the Paddock, A and B Penthouses and the Tower Terrace ADA area.
Building a seating chart for an event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The speedway's Group Sales department handles orders of 20 or more tickets, and its hospitality packages range from 25 to 600 people. The IMS Museum needs its own ticket, $25 for adults, and is open 9 to 5 daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a race-weekend dinner, place the tables in the maker, seat your group and print the chart for the hosts.
Hosting a private event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Build a seating chart for your Indianapolis Motor Speedway event — banquet rounds for the dinner, rows for the program, head tables wherever the format calls for them. The maker handles layouts up to 500 seats and exports a print-ready PDF you can hand the Speedway venue's event team.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- How many seats does Indianapolis Motor Speedway have?
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway says it has more than 250,000 permanent seats, which makes it the world's largest sports seating facility. Wikipedia notes seating was cut to about 235,000 in 2013, and the 100th Indy 500 in 2016 drew about 350,000 people.
- What are the best seats at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
- Shade and seat backs are the practical questions here. Portions of the higher Penthouse and Box rows are covered. Stands H, J and G and all the Vistas are uncovered and have no seat backs. Tower Terrace, inside the frontstretch, has benches with backs. Paddock sits opposite the Pagoda, and the Northeast Vista is sold in three parts: the turn (sections 1 to 25), the backstretch (26 to 37) and a deck.
- What sections does Indianapolis Motor Speedway have?
- Main sections include: Frontstretch outside stands — E, B, A, Paddock, C, H and J, from Turn 1 toward Turn 4; Penthouses — upper levels of A, B, E and Paddock, partly covered; Inside the frontstretch — Pit Road Terrace and Tower Terrace. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is Indianapolis Motor Speedway located?
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway is at 4790 W. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222, in the town of Speedway. Indy 500 race-day parking in IMS lots is sold in advance only, and the gate you use should be the one closest to your stand.
- How do I plan a private event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
- Call IMS Group Sales at 317-492-8100 for groups, or the ticket office at 317-492-6700 for accessible seating. Once it's booked, lay out the Indianapolis Motor Speedway guest list in our free seating planner.