2026 Green Flag Relay
Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge
About the Green Flag
With more than 100 years of history, traditions abound at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One of the most symbolic traditions is the waving of the Green Flag to start the race. Since 1930, the Green Flag has signaled the start of more than 90 Indianapolis 500-mile races.
Green Flag Relay History
The Green Flag Relay, an initiative by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has a way of bringing the immensity of the world’s largest single-day sporting event into a space that is a bit more personal – a space that unites us. The Green Flag is a symbol of excitement; it represents everything Indianapolis 500 fans wait for all year long and that the wait is over.
The Green Flag Relay stops are milestones in the countdown to Race Day and provide a platform for participants to share their enthusiasm with a wide network of people across the globe.
The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge welcomed fans from all 50 U.S. states, and in total, there were 53 different countries represented by fans in attendance. The Indy 500 is a not an American tradition alone; it is a global phenomenon, and the Official Green Flag is a symbol for all who travel to the Racing Capital of the World.
Each year of the relay has its own story, and no two stops are the same. City centers, historic landmarks and legendary racetracks have hosted the Official Green Flag, but that is not all. It has been to five continents and beyond – in 2018, the Official Green Flag orbited around Earth at 17,500 mph abord the International Space Station. While each relay is different, the final stop is the same: the Official Green Flag returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Race Day – a fitting finale that leads into “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Over the history of the Green Flag Relay, many Indy 500 Winners, IMS partners, celebrity race fans and others have proudly and passionately waved the Official Green Flag in anticipation for Memorial Day Weekend.
Lifetime Facts
33 Stops
There have been 33 stops in the Green Flag Relay since its inception. No location is off the table!
72,174 Miles
The Official Green Flag has traveled outward more than 70,000 miles from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
2018
This initiative began in 2018 and has roughly 5 stops each year before being delivered on Race Day.