Executives at FOX59 are likely smiling ear-to-ear Wednesday morning after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced a grandstand sellout for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, clearing the way for live local television coverage of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

For the second consecutive year, racing fans in the Indianapolis area will be able to watch the Indy 500 live at home without worrying about the long-standing local blackout rule.

Officials at IMS announced that all reserved seating for the May 24 race has sold out, triggering the lifting of the local blackout. The race will air live in central Indiana on FOX59.

“Anticipation for race day is approaching an all-time high right here in central Indiana and across the globe,” said Doug Boles, president of IndyCar and IMS. “We can’t thank the world’s greatest and most loyal fans enough. The stars of the NTT IndyCar Series are ready for an unparalleled showcase of speed, bravery and competition in front of a historic and massive crowd.”

IMS estimates approximately 350,000 fans will be on hand for race day festivities. Officials also said all badges and passes providing pit and garage access have sold out. Limited general admission tickets for the IMS infield remain available.

The sellout continues a recent trend of relaxed blackout restrictions for the iconic race. IMS lifted the blackout for the 100th Running in 2016 due to a sellout crowd. The race also aired locally in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 attendance restrictions, in 2024 because of a lengthy rain delay, and again in 2025 following another sellout.

For decades, the Indianapolis 500 blackout was intended to encourage fans to attend the race in person rather than watch on television. While blackout policies have largely disappeared across professional sports because of changing media and streaming landscapes, IMS has continued the tradition longer than most major sporting events.

FOX59 will begin race day coverage at 5 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, with national FOX network coverage taking over at 10 a.m. The green flag is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.

Local viewers will also have a second opportunity to watch the race later that evening when FOX59 airs a tape-delayed replay at 7 p.m. The rebroadcast has long been a tradition for many fans returning home from IMS to relive the day’s action from a television perspective.