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Note: An earlier version of this story published last year. It has been updated for 2026.
The 110th running of the Indy 500 is almost here. If you've got tickets to watch the greatest spectacle in racing, you might need a refresher on what is and isn't allowed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Some things like snacks and refreshments are OK. Not everything goes, though. No glass containers are allowed. Strollers and wagons are fine at IMS but must be collapsible on Indy 500 race day.
Remember, the general rule to keep in mind at the Indy 500 is this: if it can obstruct someone's view of the race, leave it at home.
No, leave the aerosol cans at home. Sunscreen, however, is alright. Just be careful where you spray it.
Leave your four-legged friend at home. The Indy 500 race track is incredibly loud and could terrify your pet.
The only animals allowed are service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
You can ride your bike to the Indy 500 but you must leave your bicycle parked at Gates 1, 6 or 9.
Yes, you can bring those with you to the track at IMS.
Sure, camelbacks are fine. Bonus: They leave your hands free to hold more hot dogs.
You can bring your camera stand, tripods or monopod with you to IMS so long as they do not cause a safety hazard or obstruct the view of others.
Camera stands are not allowed within the grandstands or concert areas.
You can bring your cart or wagon to IMS but not everywhere and they must be collapsible on race day.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility so the Benjamins won't do you much good. Have a debit or credit card ready to handle your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and race merchandise.
Sure, coolers and bags are allowed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pack plenty of refreshments so long as your drinks aren't in glass containers. Your cooler can be hard or soft-sided. However, it cannot be larger than 18”x15”x15.”
No, absolutely not. Forget about taking a crowd shot, drones are not allowed at IMS.
No, leave the fireworks to the professionals and do not bring them to the race track.
Nope, they could obstruct the view of the people who want to watch the race.
You can have a flag but it can't obstruct the view of other people there. Note: Flags are not allowed within concert areas.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Food and drinks are permitted in most areas at IMS. Water, soft drinks, wine and beer are OK so long as they're in plastic or aluminum cans.
Nope, glass containers are prohibited. Keep your liquids in aluminum cans or plastic containers.
No, golf carts as well as ATVs, scooters, minibikes, roller blades, skateboards, skates, pogo sticks and hover boards are prohibited.
What, are you giving a PowerPoint presentation during the race? Weird. Also prohibited. Laser pointers aren't allowed at IMS.
Just say "no." You can't have that stuff at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, nor anything restricted by state or local law.
Marijuana is illegal in Indiana. You cannot smoke it at the Indy 500. To avoid an unscheduled tour of the Marion County Community Justice Campus, do not bring illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia to the race.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Mobility devices are fine, but guests are responsible for securing them when left unattended. IMS also reserves the right to prohibit any mobility device based upon safety considerations.
IMS doesn't allow obscene or offensive material on clothing; you could be turned away at the gate. Flags, signs and banners with offensive materials aren't allowed either.
The race usually lasts three to four hours, not three to four days. IMS doesn't allow oversized bags or luggage. Take a collapsible cart instead.
Personal and non-commercial photo and video cameras are allowed at IMS. However, video cameras and audio recording equipment are not allowed within the concert areas.
Nope, scaffolding and platforms are not allowed. If you want a better view of the race, you'll need to buy the right tickets.
Leave the selfie stick at home. Those aren't allowed at IMS.
Yes, service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability are allowed. Regular pets, however, are not.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Yes and no. Smoking, which includes electronic cigarettes, vaporizers or similar products, is prohibited in the IMS seating areas, grandstands and infield viewing mounds.
If you need to smoke, you'll have to do it 20 feet away from any buildings, seating entrances and infield viewing mounds.
Don't do it. Soliciting for goods, materials, services or ticket scalping isn't allowed.
No, absolutely not. Stickers are a pain for IMS personnel to scrape off. Please show them consideration.
Little tykes with little legs can be pushed around on strollers except in the concert pit and VIP areas.
You can bring a lawn chair or folding camping chair to IMS. However, just like strollers, regular-height lawn and folding chairs are not allowed in the concert pit or VIP areas.
Nope, you can't have any trampolines at IMS. That also goes for any kiddie-sized swimming pools. Leave them at home.
Yes, you can bring an umbrella to shield yourself from rain or sunshine at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but your umbrella cannot obstruct the view of others at the Indy 500.
Absolutely not. Weapons of any type, including knives, firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited.
Remember: Anything else not mentioned above that could pose a safety hazard or diminish the enjoyment of the Indy 500 for other guests might be refused at the discretion of security and management.
These items are subject to change without notice, according to IMS, whose personnel won't secure or hold onto any prohibited guests might bring. You also can't leave prohibited items at or around the gates; they'll be removed and thrown away.
Liked this article? Download the free IndyStar app and turn on notifications to get breaking news, weather alerts and more stories like this one.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Your tickets to Indy 500 don't allow these items, so plan ahead
Continue reading...
The 110th running of the Indy 500 is almost here. If you've got tickets to watch the greatest spectacle in racing, you might need a refresher on what is and isn't allowed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Some things like snacks and refreshments are OK. Not everything goes, though. No glass containers are allowed. Strollers and wagons are fine at IMS but must be collapsible on Indy 500 race day.
Remember, the general rule to keep in mind at the Indy 500 is this: if it can obstruct someone's view of the race, leave it at home.
Are aerosol cans allowed at Indy 500?
No, leave the aerosol cans at home. Sunscreen, however, is alright. Just be careful where you spray it.
Can I bring my dog, animal or pets to the Indy 500?
Leave your four-legged friend at home. The Indy 500 race track is incredibly loud and could terrify your pet.
The only animals allowed are service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
Can you ride a bike at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
You can ride your bike to the Indy 500 but you must leave your bicycle parked at Gates 1, 6 or 9.
Can you have binoculars, scanners and headsets at Indy 500?
Yes, you can bring those with you to the track at IMS.
Are camelbacks OK at Indy 500?
Sure, camelbacks are fine. Bonus: They leave your hands free to hold more hot dogs.
Are camera stands and tripods allowed at Indy 500?
You can bring your camera stand, tripods or monopod with you to IMS so long as they do not cause a safety hazard or obstruct the view of others.
Camera stands are not allowed within the grandstands or concert areas.
Are carts and wagons allowed at Indy 500?
You can bring your cart or wagon to IMS but not everywhere and they must be collapsible on race day.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Should I take cash to Indy 500?
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility so the Benjamins won't do you much good. Have a debit or credit card ready to handle your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and race merchandise.
Are coolers allowed at Indy 500?
Sure, coolers and bags are allowed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pack plenty of refreshments so long as your drinks aren't in glass containers. Your cooler can be hard or soft-sided. However, it cannot be larger than 18”x15”x15.”
Can I bring my drone to Indy 500?
No, absolutely not. Forget about taking a crowd shot, drones are not allowed at IMS.
Can I shoot fireworks off at Indy 500?
No, leave the fireworks to the professionals and do not bring them to the race track.
Are flagpoles allowed at Indy 500?
Nope, they could obstruct the view of the people who want to watch the race.
Can I take my flag to Indy 500?
You can have a flag but it can't obstruct the view of other people there. Note: Flags are not allowed within concert areas.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Can I bring food and beverages to Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Food and drinks are permitted in most areas at IMS. Water, soft drinks, wine and beer are OK so long as they're in plastic or aluminum cans.
Are glass containers allowed at Indy 500?
Nope, glass containers are prohibited. Keep your liquids in aluminum cans or plastic containers.
Can you ride a golf cart at IMS? What about scooters?
No, golf carts as well as ATVs, scooters, minibikes, roller blades, skateboards, skates, pogo sticks and hover boards are prohibited.
Are lasers allowed at IMS?
What, are you giving a PowerPoint presentation during the race? Weird. Also prohibited. Laser pointers aren't allowed at IMS.
What's the policy on illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia at IMS?
Just say "no." You can't have that stuff at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, nor anything restricted by state or local law.
Can I smoke marijuana at Indy 500?
Marijuana is illegal in Indiana. You cannot smoke it at the Indy 500. To avoid an unscheduled tour of the Marion County Community Justice Campus, do not bring illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia to the race.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Can I bring a mobility scooter to Indy 500?
Mobility devices are fine, but guests are responsible for securing them when left unattended. IMS also reserves the right to prohibit any mobility device based upon safety considerations.
Can I wear clothing with offensive or obscene materials at the Indy 500
IMS doesn't allow obscene or offensive material on clothing; you could be turned away at the gate. Flags, signs and banners with offensive materials aren't allowed either.
Oversized bags and luggage at Indy 500
The race usually lasts three to four hours, not three to four days. IMS doesn't allow oversized bags or luggage. Take a collapsible cart instead.
Can I take my camera to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Personal and non-commercial photo and video cameras are allowed at IMS. However, video cameras and audio recording equipment are not allowed within the concert areas.
Can I bring scaffolding or platforms to Indy 500?
Nope, scaffolding and platforms are not allowed. If you want a better view of the race, you'll need to buy the right tickets.
Can I take a selfie stick to Indy 500?
Leave the selfie stick at home. Those aren't allowed at IMS.
I have a service animal. Can I bring my service dog to Indy 500?
Yes, service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability are allowed. Regular pets, however, are not.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Can I smoke at the Indy 500?
Yes and no. Smoking, which includes electronic cigarettes, vaporizers or similar products, is prohibited in the IMS seating areas, grandstands and infield viewing mounds.
If you need to smoke, you'll have to do it 20 feet away from any buildings, seating entrances and infield viewing mounds.
What about soliciting at Indy 500?
Don't do it. Soliciting for goods, materials, services or ticket scalping isn't allowed.
Can I bring stickers to Indy 500?
No, absolutely not. Stickers are a pain for IMS personnel to scrape off. Please show them consideration.
Can I bring my stroller to Indy 500? What about lawn chairs and camping chairs?
Little tykes with little legs can be pushed around on strollers except in the concert pit and VIP areas.
You can bring a lawn chair or folding camping chair to IMS. However, just like strollers, regular-height lawn and folding chairs are not allowed in the concert pit or VIP areas.
Can I set up my trampoline or swimming pool at Indy 500?
Nope, you can't have any trampolines at IMS. That also goes for any kiddie-sized swimming pools. Leave them at home.
Can I take my umbrella to Indy 500?
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Yes, you can bring an umbrella to shield yourself from rain or sunshine at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but your umbrella cannot obstruct the view of others at the Indy 500.
Can I bring my gun to Indy 500? What about my knife?
Absolutely not. Weapons of any type, including knives, firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited.
Remember: Anything else not mentioned above that could pose a safety hazard or diminish the enjoyment of the Indy 500 for other guests might be refused at the discretion of security and management.
These items are subject to change without notice, according to IMS, whose personnel won't secure or hold onto any prohibited guests might bring. You also can't leave prohibited items at or around the gates; they'll be removed and thrown away.
Liked this article? Download the free IndyStar app and turn on notifications to get breaking news, weather alerts and more stories like this one.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Your tickets to Indy 500 don't allow these items, so plan ahead
Continue reading...
