Private jet to the Indianapolis 500
The 111th Indianapolis 500 is on Sunday 30 May 2027 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Which airport, how the FAA's race procedures work, and when to leave.
- Race day
- Sun 30 May 2027
- Running
- 111th
- Airports
- IND, EYE, TYQ, MQJ
- Crowd
- 300,000+
Flying private to the Indy 500
Indianapolis International (IND), 7 miles southwest of the city, has the longest runways and two FBOs, Million Air and Signature. Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE) is the closest airport to the Speedway for aircraft that fit its 4,200 ft runway, and Indianapolis Executive (TYQ) and Indianapolis Regional (MQJ) are the other main options.
The 111th Indianapolis 500 is on Sunday 30 May 2027, the end of an event period at the Speedway that starts on 18 May. The race draws more than 300,000 fans, and the FAA publishes special air traffic procedures for seven Indianapolis airports each year.
The FAA's 2026 notice ran from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 May and covered IND, Indianapolis Executive, Indianapolis Regional, Eagle Creek, Indianapolis Metropolitan, Indy South Greenwood and Shelbyville. It asks pilots to file preferred IFR routes, says air-filed flight plans will not be accepted, and on race day limits Class C service beyond 10 miles of IND from 1400 to 2059 local time. A TFR covers the Speedway itself.
Neither the 2025 nor the 2026 notice lists a reservation program. Parking is arranged with the FBO at each airport, and the FAA notice sets out ramp exit procedures for IND's two FBOs, Million Air and Signature.
Sources:Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 25 May 2026: 2027 Indianapolis 500 on 30 May 2027, event period 18 to 30 MayFOX59, 25 May 2026: 2027 race is the 111th running; renewals open until 15 JuneFAA Domestic Notice, 2026: Indianapolis 500 special procedures, 21 to 24 May 2026FAA Domestic Notice, 2025: Indianapolis 500 special procedures, 22 to 25 May 2025Airport Improvement, 26 May 2026: more than 70,000 expected to fly out of IND 22 to 25 May 2026; race draws 300,000+ fansAirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Indianapolis InternationalAirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Eagle Creek Airpark
Indianapolis airports for race week
| Airport | Race week notes |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis International (IND) | 7 miles southwest of Indianapolis; runways up to 11,200 ft; Million Air and Signature FBOs; customs landing rights airport. Covered by the FAA race notice. |
| Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE) | 7 miles west of Indianapolis and the closest airport to the Speedway; 4,200 ft runway, so light jets and turboprops; Jet Access FBO. Covered by the FAA notice. |
| Indianapolis Executive (TYQ) | 14 miles northwest, in Zionsville; 7,001 ft runway on FAA data; Jet Access FBO with deicing and hangars; helicopter charters to the Speedway. Covered by the FAA notice. |
| Indianapolis Regional (MQJ) | 12 miles east; 6,005 ft runway; Jet Access FBO; about 30 minutes to the Speedway. Covered by the FAA notice. |
| Hendricks County (2R2) | 13 miles west; 4,400 ft runway, attended weekdays only and no Jet A listed, so not one for jets. Not in the FAA notice. |
Runways and FBOs from FAA data on AirNav; airports covered from the FAA's 2026 Indianapolis 500 notice, which also includes UMP, HFY and GEZ.
Sources:AirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Indianapolis InternationalAirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Eagle Creek AirparkAirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Indianapolis ExecutiveAirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Indianapolis RegionalAirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Hendricks CountyFAA Domestic Notice, 2026: Indianapolis 500 special procedures, 21 to 24 May 2026Jet Access, 3 May 2024: Eagle Creek closest to IMS; helicopter charters from Indianapolis Executive
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
How busy it gets
- 2010: Indianapolis International expected about 200 non-commercial aircraft for the race, with its FBOs, Million Air and Signature, forecasting 20% fewer than in 2009.
- 2012: the FAA put the extra traffic for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis at nearly 3,500 arrivals and departures, about eight times the uptick for a typical Indianapolis 500.
- 2022: nearly 1,000 airline flights in and out of IND over race weekend, 27 to 30 May.
- 2026: more than 70,000 airline passengers expected to fly out of IND from 22 to 25 May, nearly 23,000 of them on Memorial Day, Monday 25 May.
Sources:Indianapolis International Airport, 25 May 2010: about 200 non-commercial aircraft expected for the 500Fox Sports, 4 February 2012: Super Bowl XLVI traffic about eight times a typical Indianapolis 500Indianapolis International Airport, 19 May 2022: nearly 1,000 flights over race weekendAirport Improvement, 26 May 2026: more than 70,000 expected to fly out of IND 22 to 25 May 2026; race draws 300,000+ fans
Planning the trip
- 01Pick the airport for the aircraft
Eagle Creek is closest to the Speedway but has a 4,200 ft runway; IND, Indianapolis Executive and Indianapolis Regional take larger jets.
- 02File the preferred routes
The FAA asks for the published preferred IFR routes and will not accept air-filed flight plans in the area during the procedures, except in emergencies.
- 03Call for clearance on time
At IND, do not contact Clearance Delivery earlier than 30 minutes before the proposed departure time; IFR flight plans stay in the system for 2 hours after it.
- 04Expect a slow race day departure
On race day in 2026, Class C service beyond 10 miles of IND was unlikely from 1400 to 2059 local time, and VFR departures planning to pick up IFR in the air faced clearance delays.
- 05Book seats and the flight together
The grandstands sold out in 2026 for the second year running. Renewals for 2027 closed on 15 June 2026, and prices rise once tickets go on general sale in the autumn.
Sources:AirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Eagle Creek AirparkFAA Domestic Notice, 2026: Indianapolis 500 special procedures, 21 to 24 May 2026Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 25 May 2026: 2027 Indianapolis 500 on 30 May 2027, event period 18 to 30 MayFOX59, 25 May 2026: 2027 race is the 111th running; renewals open until 15 June
Jets for an Indy 500 trip
Popular US charter jets for Indianapolis.
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWhen is the 2027 Indianapolis 500?+
Sunday 30 May 2027 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is the 111th running, and the Speedway lists the event period as 18 to 30 May 2027.
Which airport is closest to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?+
Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), 7 miles west of Indianapolis, is the closest. Its runway is 4,200 ft, so larger jets use Indianapolis International (IND), Indianapolis Executive (TYQ) or Indianapolis Regional (MQJ).
Is there a TFR or slot program for the Indy 500?+
A TFR covers the Speedway, with details in the FDC NOTAM on tfr.faa.gov. The FAA's 2025 and 2026 race notices list no reservation program, but they set preferred routes and ban air-filed flight plans in the area.
How many private jets fly in for the Indy 500?+
Recent counts are not published. In 2010 IND expected about 200 non-commercial aircraft, and in 2012 the FAA said the extra traffic for the Super Bowl in Indianapolis was about eight times the uptick for a typical Indianapolis 500.
Can I take a helicopter to the track?+
Jet Access at Indianapolis Executive (TYQ) offers helicopter charters to the Speedway. A TFR is in force over the track, so the operator must work within the FAA's restrictions and current NOTAMs.
When should I fly home after the race?+
Expect delays on race day afternoon: in 2026 Class C service beyond 10 miles of IND was unlikely from 1400 to 2059 local time. The airline terminal is busiest on Memorial Day Monday, with nearly 23,000 people flying out in 2026.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 15 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 25 May 2026: 2027 Indianapolis 500 on 30 May 2027, event period 18 to 30 May
- 2.FOX59, 25 May 2026: 2027 race is the 111th running; renewals open until 15 June
- 3.FAA Domestic Notice, 2026: Indianapolis 500 special procedures, 21 to 24 May 2026
- 4.FAA Domestic Notice, 2025: Indianapolis 500 special procedures, 22 to 25 May 2025
- 5.Airport Improvement, 26 May 2026: more than 70,000 expected to fly out of IND 22 to 25 May 2026; race draws 300,000+ fans
- 6.AirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Indianapolis International
- 7.AirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Eagle Creek Airpark
- 8.AirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Indianapolis Executive
- 9.AirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Indianapolis Regional
- 10.AirNav (FAA data), October 2026: Hendricks County
- 11.Jet Access, 3 May 2024: Eagle Creek closest to IMS; helicopter charters from Indianapolis Executive
- 12.Indianapolis International Airport, 25 May 2010: about 200 non-commercial aircraft expected for the 500
- 13.Fox Sports, 4 February 2012: Super Bowl XLVI traffic about eight times a typical Indianapolis 500
- 14.Indianapolis International Airport, 19 May 2022: nearly 1,000 flights over race weekend
Get to the Speedway.
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