Lucas Oil Stadium guide: What to know about the Indianapolis Colts’ home field (2024)

This article is part of the Stadium Guides series, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets on StubHub to Indianapolis Colts games at Lucas Oil Stadium here.

There is only one statue in downtown Indianapolis despite the city boasting three major professional sports teams. Reggie Miller is the greatest Indiana Pacer, Tamika Catchings is the best to suit up for the Indiana Fever. Both may be deserving of statues one day, but neither is beloved nor revered as much as Peyton Manning, the greatest Colt.

His statue outside of Lucas Oil Stadium is a constant reminder of what he did for the franchise and the city. Indianapolis was a basketball town until Manning arrived in 1998. He changed the franchise and the adjacent economy by becoming the Colts’ first true superstar in Indy, and a very marketable and charismatic figure. Many pre-Manning era Colts fans are quick to remind the younger generation that downtown Indianapolis would look nothing like it does now if Manning hadn’t shown up.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer began his NFL career while the Colts were playing at the RCA Dome; he became one of the best QBs in the league before the team moved over to (also domed) Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of the 2008 season. By that time, Manning was at the peak of his powers, starring in a venue that now seats roughly 63,000 fans.

“There is no Lucas Oil Stadium without Peyton,” Indiana State Museum curator Dale Ogden once told Grantland.com. “Without Peyton, the Colts would probably be in L.A. right now.”

Super Bowl XLVI was played at Lucas Oil Stadium in February 2012, but the major sports events have expanded beyond the NFL. Since then, it has hosted the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament (2021), the men’s basketball Final Four (2021), the college football national championship (2022) and the U.S. Olympic swim trials earlier this year.

Regardless of the other marquee events, though, Lucas Oil Stadium is still best known for being the Colts’ playground. It’ll always be the house that Manning built, even as current franchise cornerstones like quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor try to usher in a new era of success.

The Athletichas compiled 32 stadium guides, one for eachNFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience. We’ve also asked readers to weigh in on the best food, beer and tailgate options at each stadium, among other things, to help football fans enjoy their visit.

Insider tips

2024 must-watch game at stadium: vs. Houston Texans, Sept. 8

The last time the Texans played at Lucas Oil Stadium, in the 2023 regular-season finale, they punched their ticket to playoffs and ended the Colts’ season. Both franchises have exchanged a lot of trash talk since then, most notably Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud and Indianapolis linebacker Zaire Franklin, which should add to an environment that is sure to be feisty. The Colts also are trying to win their first season opener since 2013, so what better way to end that streak than taking out the reigning AFC South champs?

Fan tradition to know: Pounding the anvil

The Colts kick off every game at Lucas Oil Stadium by having someone pound the anvil. It’s a tradition that began during the 2017 season, and the honor is usually bestowed upon a celebrity, former player or another pro athlete. Pat McAfee, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, and Indiana University legend (and current men’s basketball coach) Mike Woodson have all participated.

No one else could strike the anvil first. #DENvsIND pic.twitter.com/Epk4gD371O

— Colts Life (@ColtsLife) August 11, 2024

James Boyd’s favorite thing

My favorite game day experience at Lucas Oil Stadium is watching the team’s mascot, Blue, throw pies in the face of opposing “fans.” I say fans with quotation marks because I’m guessing these people are actually Colts employees, but the crowd usually gets a kick out of it. I also know the person inside the Blue suit, so it’s funny seeing them get into character. Blue has 8 million followers on TikTok, compared to 1.1 million for the Colts’ official team account.

The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 13

Jon Machota ranked all 30 NFL stadiums in August 2023 and this is what James Boyd said then about Lucas Oil Stadium:

Arguably the best thing about Lucas Oil Stadium is its location. The Colts’ home venue is centrally located in downtown Indianapolis, making it an easy place to get to as an Indy-area resident or out-of-state visitor. Once you’re downtown, everything from hotels to parking to food options is within walking distance of LOS. As for the stadium itself, it’s not state-of-the-art but far from outdated. It’s fairly easy to navigate and spectators usually have a good view of the action whether they’re sitting at the 50-yard line or in the nosebleeds. There’s also the retractable roof that ensures a well-kept playing surface and a cozy environment for fans when the winter months roll around.

Fans’ game day advice

The Athletic surveyed NFL fans for their feedback on the following questions:

What is the ‘best bang for your buck’ seating section?

The end zone seats facing the open window downtown. When the roof is open on a beautiful fall day, it’s glorious. — Todd G.

What’s the can’t-miss food?

Can’t miss the steak sandwiches on the lower level. — Aaron A.

There is one stand in the southeast section of the main concourse (main level) that has stellar Cuban sandwiches as well as another stand with very good nachos. — Aj M.

What’s the best beer option?

The Sun King stands are the (best) bang for your buck for beers. — Aaron A.

Where is the best spot to take a photo?

In the Bud Light Zone standing area on the window side of the stadium. Perfect view of the whole stadium that you can get in the background of the photo. — Aj M.

What are the kid-friendly activities/options at the stadium?

Touchdown Town, located just outside the stadium on South Street, has a Play 60 Zone and a 40-yard dash for kids to put their football skills to the test.

Where is the best place to tailgate?

I always enjoy the Bullseye Event Group tailgate tickets. They have all-you-can-eat food and drink (yes, alcohol included) three to four hours before kickoff. You get the cheap-of-the-cheap seats in the way-up-there section, but the stadium is so nice there’s hardly a bad seat in the house. — Jacob B.

What to know if you go

Stadium address: 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. 46225.

Year opened: 2008.

Roof? Retractable roof.

Playing surface: Turf.

Stadium capacity: Approximately 67,000.

2023 average attendance per game (per Pro Football Reference): 65,265.

Tickets:$228 is the average StubHub ticket cost at Lucas Oil Stadium for a 2024 NFL game, according to StubHub. Season tickets for the 2024 Colts season are sold out. Fans can join the waitlist (with a deposit) here.

Bag policy: Bags made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that are no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. Non-clear bags that are no larger than 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches and are about the size of a hand are permitted. These bags can be carried with or without a strap or hand. Other permitted bags include one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, binocular cases and camera cases. Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are also permitted. Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after inspection.

Outside food policy: Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

ADA information: Guests with disabilities may be dropped off and/or picked up on the southwest corner pull-through location off Missouri Street, or on the northeast side of the stadium, on Capitol Avenue by the Colts Pro Shop. For more ADA information, click here.

Tailgating policy: Tailgating is permitted in parking lots surrounding the stadium. Guests are asked to not block other parking spaces to tailgate in or reserve parking spaces for late-arriving guests. Lots generally open five hours before kickoff.

Transportation options: Parking is available in lots around the stadium. Guests using a rideshare or taxi service are encouraged to use northbound Illinois Street for drop-off and pickup. Bike racks are located outside the Colts Pro Shop on Capitol Avenue on the northeast side of the building and on South Street on the northwest side of the building. Multiple bus transit lines have stops that pass near Lucas Oil Stadium.

Learn more: lucasoilstadium.com

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(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Dylan Buell / Getty Images and Michael Allio / Icon Sportswire)