Lucas Oil Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is used mostly for American football matches, hosting the home games of the Indianapolis Colts, its owner.
Opened on 16 August 2008 with an exhibition match between the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills, it replaced the original RCA Dome, which had a seating capacity of 60,670. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 67,000, but can be expanded to 70,000 for larger events. The stadium was designed by HKS, Inc. and had a construction cost of $720 million.
A NFL-preferred venue, Lucas Oil Stadium has hosted several key matches, including Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. It has also hosted NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in 2010 and 2015 and is scheduled to do so again in 2021. The stadium features a retractable roof and a large window at one end, resulting in a significant amount of natural light, a unique feature for a domed stadium. By its tenth anniversary, Lucas Oil Stadium had welcomed more than 17 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the future Super Bowls and NCAA Championships, further cementing its status as a premier sports and entertainment venue.
While the previous Colts stadium was also officially named 'RCA Dome', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their current name, Lucas Oil Stadium. Lucas Oil is the name of the company that bought the naming rights for the stadium, which is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. This official name caught on soon after the stadium's construction; the people of Indianapolis used to simply call it Lucas Oil. Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Lucas Oil Stadium'.
The stadium was built to replace the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The construction of Lucas Oil Stadium began in 2005 and was completed in 2008. The stadium's unique features include a retractable roof and a large window that offers an impressive view of the downtown Indianapolis skyline. The venue also serves as a multi-purpose facility, hosting various events such as concerts, basketball games, and conventions.
Lucas Oil Stadium has a seating capacity of 67,000 for football games, but it can be expanded to accommodate more than 70,000 spectators for other events. The stadium's design has received praise for its functionality and flexibility. It has been lauded for its efforts to provide a superior experience for fans, with wider concourses, more restrooms, and a greater number of concession areas compared to its predecessor.
Over the years, Lucas Oil Stadium has hosted several high-profile events, including the Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. In addition, it has served as the venue for the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four on multiple occasions. The stadium is also known for hosting the annual NFL Scouting Combine. Despite its relatively short history, Lucas Oil Stadium has quickly established itself as one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the United States.
An appropriate location, with excellent accessibility and enough room for further development, was identified in the downtown area of Indianapolis. Being located in the heart of the city, the new stadium was also known as 'The House that Manning Built'.
The objective of the city and the Indianapolis Colts was to own the stadium and the surrounding areas, though initially, a lease was made with the city, with a final buy-out occurring only in 2008. The plans for the sports complex had been drafted as early as the mid-2000s by HKS, Inc., an architecture firm.
Driven by the team's owner, Jim Irsay, and the city's mayor, Bart Peterson, the residents dealt with an increased fee for supporting the building costs for the new stadium, offered significant donations, and some even volunteered their time at the construction site on holidays or weekends. There was even a 'brick campaign', whereby large quantities of bricks were donated to the project.
The construction officially started on September 20, 2005. Less than three years later, and at a cost of $720 million, on August 16, 2008 (a day of celebration for the city), a 67,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills.
Lucas Oil Stadium (2008): This reference provides detailed information about the history, construction, and features of Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as its significance as a sports venue. https://www.colts.com/stadium/
Lucas Oil Stadium (The House that Manning Built) – until present: This reference provides additional information about Lucas Oil Stadium, including its nickname 'The House that Manning Built'. http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/usa/lucas_oil_stadium
The Oil never dries, Preface, Prime Books, 2008: The book provides insights into the Lucas Oil company and its association with the stadium. https://www.primebooks.net/
Indianapolis Colts 100 glorious years - The History 1, Edition and Contents, S.A., 2008: The book offers a comprehensive history of the Indianapolis Colts, the primary tenant of Lucas Oil Stadium. https://www.colts.com/history/
Becoming a leading global provider of digital solutions and services for the sports industry, enabling our clients to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
We aspire to be a trusted partner and advisor to our clients, leveraging our expertise and passion for sports to help them succeed in a rapidly changing market.
