Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, opened in 2008 and covers 1.8 million square feet. It is a state-of-the-art facility that includes a 176,400-square-foot retractable roof and an operable window on the north side of the facility that is comprised of six glass panels, each 88 feet tall and 213 feet wide. The stadium is located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, within easy walking distance of a wide variety of restaurants, hotels and nightlife.
In addition to hosting the Colts and Super Bowl XLVI, Lucas Oil Stadium is a frequent venue for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, including the 2010 and 2015 Men's Final Four. The facility also hosts the annual Big Ten college football championship game, Indiana Black Expo, the Circle City Classic college football game, several Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) football games including the state championships, monster truck events, national and international band competitions, concerts and conventions.
Lucas Oil Stadium parking
There are nearly 40,000 parking spaces at or within a six-block radius of Lucas Oil Stadium and a total of more than 73,000 parking spaces throughout downtown Indianapolis. Parking at Lucas Oil Stadium usually ranges in cost from $5 to $20, depending on the event, and can be as high as $50 for Indianapolis Colts games. The easiest way to secure a parking spot at the stadium itself is through ParkWhiz.com. Many local businesses offer parking in their lots on Colts game days for between $15 and $20.
Hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium
More than 30 lodging arrangements are available in downtown Indianapolis with 12 hotels connected by enclosed skywalks to Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center and Circle Centre. Easy to recognize is the blue 34-story JW Marriott Indianapolis luxury hotel, which is the seventh-tallest building in Indy and the tallest hotel in Indiana. Others wanting a luxurious stay should seek out the Conrad Indianapolis and The Alexander. Those seeking a more cost-effective stay will be interested in the Holiday Inn Express and the Comfort Suites City Centre -- both of which are within easy walking distance of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Seating at Lucas Oil Stadium
The stadium seats 67,000 people for football games and expands to over 70,000 for NCAA men's basketball games. Ticket prices for Indianapolis Colts games and other events are comparable to the industry standard. There are no pillars or other obstructions in front of any seats inside Lucas Oil Stadium, so any seat will give you a clear view of the playing surface. Shoulder room and leg room are comfortable. Two huge high-definition televisions on either side of the facility provide a closer view when desired. Lucas Oil Stadium is a family-friendly facility, so families can feel secure sitting anywhere.
Food at Lucas Oil Stadium
There are about 60 permanent concessions stands and roughly 90 temporary stands that are set up throughout Lucas Oil Stadium, providing a wide variety of food for virtually any taste. Expect to pay typical stadium prices for food: $5.25 for a hot dog, $5 for nachos, $4.75 for popcorn, etc.
Beer at Lucas Oil Stadium
The average cup of beer at the stadium costs $7.50, and you'll find the usual assortment of mainstream domestic beers there. Additionally, you can score some locally-brewed (and local favorite) Sun King beer, which offers such varieties as Wee Mac Scottish-style Ale, Sunlight Creme Ale, Osiris Pale Ale on tap in sections 109 and 132 on the main concourse and in 16-ounce cans at a variety of beer vendors throughout the facility. Another Indianapolis brewery, Tow Yard Brewing, offers its Hook Up Shandler in section 543.
Parking alternatives at Lucas Oil Stadium
The IndyGo public bus transportation system in Indianapolis allows visitors to park virtually anywhere in and around Indianapolis and ride the bus to Lucas Oil Stadium. IndyGo is inexpensive and reliable, and you can find a map of their routes by clicking here.
What to bring to Lucas Oil Stadium
For most football games, bring a light jacket to the stadium. When the roof is closed, the air conditioning can cause some fans to get chilly. When the roof is open, the air temperature can have the same effect. It's also a good idea to bring sunglasses, as the huge movable window allows plenty of sunshine into the stadium. Those in the upper sections may also wish to bring a pair of binoculars.
Insider tip for Lucas Oil Stadium
Did you purchase tickets to an event and then suffer an injury that has you on crutches or in a wheelchair? Guests who have purchased their game tickets through Ticketmaster or the Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office can go to the Ticket Office at the southwest corner of the stadium and exchange them for tickets in a more accessible section of the stadium. Wheelchairs are also available in the stadium on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Author's bio: Eric is a resident of central Indiana and has been published on Yahoo Sports and Visit Hendricks County. He owns and operates Red Zone Writing. You can follow him on Facebook and Google+.