Indianapolis, Indiana – For the first time since 2016, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reached a remarkable milestone, selling out every reserved seat for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in 2025. The announcement of a full grandstand sellout sparked excitement across the motorsports world and brought long-awaited news for local fans: the long-standing television blackout in Central Indiana would be lifted.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials confirmed that all reserved seating—including every grandstand location and suite ticket—was officially sold before Race Day on Sunday, May 25. The news delighted fans who have followed the event for decades, underscoring the enduring popularity of what has long been called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
“As promised, the very best fans in sports have delivered in fitting fashion for the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and every last reserved seat ticket has been sold,” said INDYCAR SERIES and IMS President J. Douglas Boles. His statement highlighted the dedication and enthusiasm of the Indianapolis 500 fanbase, which has consistently supported the event through thick and thin.
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One of the most significant outcomes of the sellout was the lifting of the local television blackout. Instituted in 1951, the blackout policy prevents a live broadcast from airing in Central Indiana unless the race achieves a sellout. This year marked the first time since 2016 that local viewers could watch the race live under the traditional sellout criteria, a moment many fans had eagerly anticipated.
The lifting of the blackout has historically been a rare event. In 2016, the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 became the first in history to lift the blackout due to a full sellout, a celebration that remains iconic. In 2020 and 2021, the blackout was lifted under unusual circumstances tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, with either no spectators or a restricted-capacity crowd allowing the track to declare a sold allocation. Even the 2024 race saw the blackout lifted, but that decision came after a lengthy weather delay left thousands of fans unable to stay at the Speedway.
The 2025 edition of the race carried another historic layer: it marked the first Indianapolis 500 broadcast on FOX Sports. The combination of a full grandstand, the lifting of the local blackout, and the debut of a new national broadcast partner created a convergence of excitement that energized fans both in attendance and watching from home. The race showcased the continued growth of the INDYCAR SERIES audience, bringing in viewers who may be new to the sport while delighting longtime followers.
With 100 percent of the reserved seats filled, local fans finally had the opportunity to watch the race live, an experience that has been elusive in years past. For many, the event provided a sense of connection and celebration, reaffirming the Indianapolis 500 as one of the world’s most enduring sporting traditions.
The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 demonstrated the power of the sport to unite fans, drivers, and broadcasters alike. From the packed grandstands to the national television audience, the race underscored why the Indianapolis 500 continues to captivate generations of motorsports enthusiasts. For IMS and the INDYCAR SERIES, the sellout serves as both a testament to the dedication of their fans and a signal of the series’ continuing growth and relevance in the world of professional racing.
With the grandstands filled to capacity and a new era of broadcast coverage underway, the 2025 Indianapolis 500 will be remembered as a landmark event that celebrated the sport, the fans, and the spectacle that has become synonymous with racing history.
