Ways to Get Indy 500 Tickets

Several years ago, one of my clients gave me a pair of Indy 500 tickets as a thank you for handling an important contract for him. It was the first time I ever attended a car race event of any kind, and I had an absolutely amazing time! I had great seats, plus an infield pass that allowed me to see the cars and drivers up close before the racing started. Needless to say, I became a huge IRL fan from that day forward, and now try to attend the event every single year.

I live fairly close to Indianapolis, so getting there isn't a problem. Scoring good Indy 500 tickets year after year, however, is a different story. The first time I tried to get my own passes, I wasn't prepared for all the hoops I had to jump through. I waited too long and tried to buy too close to the deadline, which of course meant the desirable seats had already been snapped up. Then I tried getting Indy 500 tickets from scalpers, but ended up paying far too much for a terrible spot in the bleachers.

Since those failed attempts, I've smartened up considerably and now have no trouble getting awesome tix without spending a ton of money. I do this by buying my Indy 500 tickets online from discount brokers, auctions, or swap sites. Ticket brokers are usually a good bet, as they are the most reliable source for excellent seating. Brokers provide their ticketing services year round for a variety of events, so the last thing they want is to get a reputation for false advertising (claiming seats are in a better section than they actually are) or for extremely inflated prices. I haven't had a bad experience with one of these places yet -- knock on wood -- so I definitely recommend giving them a try.

Auctions are another option for those seeking Indy 500 tickets. You can usually find ticket auctions on eBay or similar websites. Some folks prefer bidding on tix because they have a bit more control in terms of setting a maximum price, but at the same time you actually have to win the auction, which is by no means guaranteed. Plus, you also have to worry about whether or not you're dealing with a reputable seller who will mail you the (hopefully) authentic Indy 500 tickets in a timely fashion.

In recent years, ticket exchange or swap sites have become very popular. People go to these sites to exchange passes for different events. For example, say I have a Rolling Stones concert ticket, but am not interested in going. I can head to the swap site and see if someone wants to trade me for a ticket to a Linkin Park concert or something. This is kind of a cool setup, and can be a great way to score Indy 500 tickets.

If you've never been to this race, do yourself a favor and go sometime soon! It's considered one of the crown jewels of motorsports, and should be on every sports fan's list of events to attend in person. There are approximately 400,000 Indy 500 tickets available for each race, so you've got an excellent chance of getting prime seats for the action.