There is a specific kind of electricity that fills the air around Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) as Memorial Day approaches each spring.
They call it “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing®,” because for more than a century, the Indy 500 has been the ultimate proving ground for both racing and engineering excellence. This weekend, as speed, precision and engineering excellence converge on the track, a single, secured, unified Cisco network will be humming behind the scenes, making it all possible.
A Venue the Size of a City
IMS isn’t just a racetrack—it operates like a small city. As the largest sporting venue in the world, it welcomes more than 350,000 fans on race day, including 235,000 seated guests, thousands in suites, and a massive infield crowd.
Delivering a seamless experience at that scale requires more than connectivity—it demands a resilient, high-performance network that supports every aspect of operations, from entry gates to broadcast production.
A Unified Experience from Arrival to Final Lap
Cisco technology underpins a fully converged secure network across IMS, simplifying operations while enhancing the fan experience.
From the moment fans begin planning their trip, digital services are at work. Integrated mobile capabilities help attendees navigate traffic, streamline entry, and move through the venue with ease.
On-site, Cisco Wi-Fi 6 ensures reliable, high-density connectivity, enabling fans to access real-time race data, share their experiences, and stay connected across tens of thousands of devices simultaneously. This reliable Wi-Fi infrastructure is not just an amenity for IMS, it’s a critical mechanism in facilitating a connected community of fans who are able to share “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing®” with the world in real-time.
Behind the scenes, that same network supports critical services like ticketing, concessions, and race operations—delivering a consistent, always-on experience.
Powering Real-Time Media at Global Scale
But the Indy 500 isn’t just experienced in person—it’s broadcast to millions worldwide. Supporting that reach requires infrastructure built for speed, scale, and flexibility.
Cisco’s AI-ready architecture, including Nexus switching and IP Fabric for Media (IPFM), provides the backbone for Indy Motor Sports Productions to deliver one of the most complex live sports productions in the world. Cisco IPFM enables production teams to capture, process, and distribute high-quality race coverage in real time. Indy Motor Sports Productions’ use of this solution has already earned industry recognition, including a Project of the Year award from the National Association of Broadcasters for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season opener.
Building What’s Next
The partnership between Cisco and IMS is rooted in continuous innovation. Through ongoing investment in infrastructure and expertise, IMS is positioned to evolve alongside fan expectations and emerging technologies. Whether at the track or tuning in from across the globe, fans are part of an experience designed to be immersive, connected, and always advancing.
This is why IMS – like more than 500 sports and entertainment venues around the world – have partnered with Cisco to bring the experience to life. Because at IMS, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing®” isn’t just about what happens on the track—it’s about the technology that makes it all possible.
