About Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium sits on the southern edge of downtown Indianapolis — a 67,000-seat venue with a retractable roof, a retractable north window wall, and a resume of championship events that few NFL stadiums can match. It is the home of the Indianapolis Colts and one of the most versatile event spaces in American sports.
The stadium replaced the RCA Dome in 2008 and immediately upgraded Indianapolis’s ability to host the biggest events in the country. The Colts play here on fall Sundays, but the building earns its national reputation during championship season: Super Bowl XLVI, the CFP National Championship, three NCAA Final Fours, and the annual NFL Scouting Combine have all called this place home.
Designed by HKS Architects and built by Hunt Construction Group, the $720 million stadium features a first-of-its-kind retractable roof that opens parallel to the sidelines rather than the end zones. Two panels weighing 2.5 million pounds each slide apart in 11 minutes. When the retractable north window wall is also open, fans get a framed view of the downtown Indianapolis skyline — one of the most distinctive sightlines in the NFL. The playing surface is Hellas Matrix Helix synthetic turf.
Indianapolis has long called itself the “Amateur Sports Capital of the World,” and Lucas Oil Stadium is the crown jewel of that claim. Connected to the Indiana Convention Center via skybridge, the stadium sits within walking distance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions — a compact downtown that makes Indianapolis one of the easiest NFL cities to visit on foot.
Getting to Lucas Oil Stadium
Public Transit
Downtown Indianapolis is compact and walkable, and IndyGo bus service connects the stadium to the rest of the city.
→ Via IndyGo Red Line BRT: The Red Line runs from Broad Ripple through downtown to the University of Indianapolis. Exit at Maryland Street Station — a 5-minute walk to the stadium. Fare: $1.75 for a two-hour pass.
→ Via IndyGo Bus: Routes 8, 10, and 31 serve stops near the stadium. The nearest stop is at Maryland Street and Missouri Street.
If you’re staying in a downtown hotel, walking is the easiest option — Lucas Oil Stadium is within a 10-minute walk of most major downtown hotels along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
Driving + Parking
The stadium address is 500 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46225. I-70 and I-65 intersect just south of downtown.
→ From Chicago (~185 mi): I-65 South directly to Indianapolis. About 3 hours.
→ From Cincinnati (~110 mi): I-74 West to I-465 to I-70 West into downtown. About 1 hour 50 minutes.
→ From Louisville (~115 mi): I-65 North directly to Indianapolis. About 1 hour 50 minutes.
The stadium’s South Lot and North Lot are the primary parking options at $10–$35 per event. The Indiana Convention Center garage, Circle Centre Mall, and Capitol Commons Garage also serve the stadium. Tailgating is permitted in surface lots. Pre-purchase parking through SpotHero for the best rates.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft have a designated pickup and drop-off zone at South Street and Capitol Avenue, steps from the stadium entrance. From downtown hotels, expect $6–$12. From the airport, about $20–$30. Surge pricing after games is moderate compared to larger markets — wait 10–15 minutes or walk north toward Monument Circle for quicker pickups.
From the Airport
→ Indianapolis International (IND): 14 miles southwest of the stadium, about 18–25 minutes by car. Rideshare runs $20–$30. IndyGo’s Green Line express bus connects the airport to downtown for $1.75, though frequency is limited.
History of Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium was built to replace the RCA Dome, which had served the Colts since their move from Baltimore in 1984. The $720 million project was designed by HKS Architects and funded through a combination of state, city, and team contributions ($100 million from the Colts). Groundbreaking was September 20, 2005, and the stadium opened on August 16, 2008.
First Regular Season Game (September 7, 2008): The Colts hosted the Chicago Bears and won 29–13 before a sellout crowd. Peyton Manning threw two touchdowns in the stadium’s NFL debut.
Super Bowl XLVI (February 5, 2012): The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21–17. Eli Manning’s fourth-quarter drive and Ahmad Bradshaw’s go-ahead touchdown run sealed another Giants upset of Tom Brady’s Patriots.
NCAA Final Four (2010, 2015, 2021): Indianapolis hosted three Final Fours inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The 2021 edition was especially unique — the entire 68-team NCAA tournament was played in Indianapolis as a COVID-19 bubble, with Lucas Oil Stadium hosting every round from the Sweet Sixteen onward.
CFP National Championship (January 10, 2022): Georgia defeated Alabama 33–18 to win the Bulldogs’ first national title in 41 years, ending one of the longest championship droughts in college football.
NFL Scouting Combine (annual): Indianapolis has hosted the Combine since 1987, first at the RCA Dome and now at Lucas Oil Stadium. Over 300 prospects are evaluated each February in front of every NFL team’s coaching and scouting staffs.
Lucas Oil Stadium proved that a mid-market city could build a world-class venue and attract the biggest events in American sports. The retractable roof, the downtown skyline window, and the compact walkability of Indianapolis have made this one of the most respected host venues in the NFL — a stadium that earns its reputation every championship season.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Lucas Oil Stadium's retractable roof opens parallel to the sidelines rather than the end zones — the first of its kind in NFL history — and can open or close in just 11 minutes.
The retractable north window wall offers a framed view of the downtown Indianapolis skyline during events — one of the most distinctive sightlines in professional sports.
Indianapolis has hosted more NCAA Final Fours than any other city, and Lucas Oil Stadium has been central to that: it hosted the event in 2010, 2015, and 2021, plus the entire 2021 NCAA tournament bubble.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Lucas Oil Stadium?
- Lucas Oil Stadium seats 67,000 for NFL games. The capacity can expand to approximately 70,000+ for basketball and special events like the NCAA Final Four. The all-time attendance record is 68,895.
- Where is Lucas Oil Stadium located?
- Lucas Oil Stadium is at 500 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46225. It sits on the southern edge of downtown, adjacent to the Indiana Convention Center and connected via skybridge.
- Does Lucas Oil Stadium have a retractable roof?
- Yes. The roof consists of two panels weighing 2.5 million pounds each that open or close in about 11 minutes. Uniquely, the roof opens parallel to the sidelines rather than the end zones — the first stadium in the world with this design.
- How do I get to Lucas Oil Stadium by public transit?
- Take the IndyGo Red Line Bus Rapid Transit to Maryland Street Station, a short walk from the stadium. IndyGo bus routes 8, 10, and 31 also stop nearby. Fare is $1.75 for a two-hour pass or $4 for a day pass.
- Is there parking at Lucas Oil Stadium?
- Yes. The stadium's South Lot and North Lot offer event parking at $10–$35 depending on the event. Additional parking is available at the Indiana Convention Center garage, Circle Centre Mall, and Capitol Commons Garage. Pre-purchase through SpotHero for best rates.
- What major events has Lucas Oil Stadium hosted?
- Super Bowl XLVI (2012, Giants 21–Patriots 17), the 2022 CFP National Championship (Georgia 33–Alabama 18), NCAA Final Four (2010, 2015, 2021), the entire 2021 NCAA tournament bubble, the annual NFL Scouting Combine, and concerts from Taylor Swift to Beyoncé.
- What was the stadium called before Lucas Oil?
- The stadium has always been Lucas Oil Stadium. Lucas Oil Products, an Indianapolis-based company, purchased the naming rights for $121.5 million over 20 years before the stadium opened in 2008.
- Does Lucas Oil Stadium host the NFL Combine?
- Yes. Indianapolis has been the permanent home of the NFL Scouting Combine since 1987 (originally at the RCA Dome, now at Lucas Oil Stadium). The Combine draws over 300 prospects and thousands of media and scouts each February.
Last updated: 2026-03-04
