Indy 500 Breaks Data Usage Record at Sold-Out 2025 Race

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 was a landmark event, not just for motorsports fans but also for anyone obsessed with tech. About 350,000 people packed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and that crowd set a new record for data usage on Verizon’s network.

Fans at the event chewed through an incredible 172 terabytes of data—a 35% jump over the previous year. That kind of spike really shows how fast 5G is catching on and how much people crave instant connectivity and sharing these days.

Record-Breaking Data Usage at the 2025 Indianapolis 500

The 2025 Indy 500 absolutely smashed previous records for data usage at a live event. Verizon reported the total hit nearly 172 terabytes, up from 129 terabytes at Coachella in 2024.

To put it in perspective, that’s like moving around 57 million digital photos. It’s wild to think just how much digital stuff people are sharing and streaming at these massive events.

Comparative Data Usage at Major Events

The 2024 Iowa State Fair, with over a million visitors, still holds the overall record at 393.1 terabytes. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium in 2023 only saw 29 terabytes used.

For sports, Verizon and AT&T together reported 67 terabytes of data used on Super Bowl Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Fans there also used Wi-Fi for another 17.2 terabytes.

The Role of 5G Technology

5G technology played a huge part in pushing those numbers so high at the Indianapolis 500. Fans could stream different race angles right on their phones and catch highlights through a mobile app.

All that engagement? It wouldn’t have happened without the speed and low lag of 5G networks. Streaming and real-time chatting felt seamless, which is something people have come to expect now.

Impact on Fan Experience

Inside the Speedway, about a quarter of the data went to uploading. Fans wanted to share their experiences instantly—social media, live updates, you name it.

This kind of connectivity let people stay in touch with friends and family, and really immerse themselves in the event. Being able to stream multiple race angles and catch highlights whenever you want? That’s a game-changer for fans, honestly.

Television Viewership and Local Impact

The 2025 Indy 500 also drew more TV viewers than it has in years. For the first time since 2016, the grandstands sold out, which meant the local TV blackout was lifted.

This move let more fans watch the race live on Fox, which just started a $25 million annual deal with IndyCar. The race averaged 7.05 million viewers—the best since 2008. That’s a pretty clear sign the event’s popularity is on the rise.

Economic and Technological Implications

All this record data usage says a lot about where things are headed for both the economy and tech. The event really showed off what 5G can do for live experiences, and it’s only going to push demand for even better networks.

Verizon used the event to flex its network muscles and make the case for keeping up with tech investments. Meeting people’s expectations isn’t easy, but moments like this prove it’s worth the effort.

Conclusion

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 broke records for data usage and TV viewership. Fans got a boost from 5G tech, which made streaming and real-time interaction way smoother.

Honestly, it’s wild how much digital connectivity matters at big events like this. Maybe we’ll see even more investment in network infrastructure after this.

Want to dig in deeper? Check out the full article on Sportico.