Lucas Oil Stadium
4.7(14K)google
4.4(334)yelp
SportsFootballIndoor
Overview
Lucas Oil Stadium is a retractable roof multi-purpose stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). It opened on August 16, 2008. The stadium was constructed to allow the removal of the RCA Dome and expansion of the Indiana Convention Center on its site.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeSeptember through January during the NFL regular season (home of the Indianapolis Colts) is the prime period. Arriving 3 hours before Sunday kickoff (around 10:00 AM) allows you to experience 'Touchdown Town' outside the north gate for authentic American tailgating. Enter the stadium an hour early to marvel at the giant kinetic retractable window wall.
Getting ThereSituated downtown at 500 S Capitol Ave. While drivers can park in surrounding private event lots, rates soar on game days. Walking is the premier option: the stadium is physically linked to the Indiana Convention Center and downtown hotels via an extensive, underground climate-controlled pedestrian tunnel walkway network.
Travel Tips
- The stadium strictly enforces the NFL Clear Bag Policy. Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12x6x12 inches are allowed; small non-transparent clutches with pattern overlays will be rejected.
- The retractable roof status is determined by league officials hours before kickoff based on weather radar. Even when closed, high-altitude steel wind tunnels chill upper decks; bring a windbreaker jacket.
- If driving, avoid premium lots immediately south of the stadium where exit delays exceed an hour. Park in northern downtown garages linked to the climate-controlled Skywalk system and walk to the arena.
Reviews
Positive
- Home of the Indianapolis Colts, this stadium with an iconic giant retractable red-brick roof and massive glass window yields stunning architectural aesthetics.
- The interior is ultra-luxurious, boasting massive dual jumbotrons, perfectly wide accessible paths, and an abundance of spotlessly clean, sanitized restrooms.
- Ticket scanning, security, and crowd order are fast and efficient; staff attitudes are highly energetic, quickly guiding tens of thousands of fans to seats.
- The location is superb, directly adjacent to the downtown commercial center, linked via skywalks to luxury hotels and garages, maximizing walking and driving convenience.
Heads up
- On Sunday NFL game days or during major stadium events, streets paralyze; parking rates spike to unbelievable premiums, making value hostile to budget travelers.
- Indoor concessions carry massive stadium premiums; a basic burger meal plus an ice-cold beer is heavily priced, leading to tourist-trap budget anxiety.
- During peak exit rushes, the upper level stands are extremely steep; tens of thousands shuffling down narrow stairs can feel chaotic, creating minor safety worries.
- When the retractable roof is locked shut over weather, indoor air circulation slightly drops; intense speaker echoes create a deafening, overly loud roar.