Whether you’re a sports fanatic — or just look good in blue — when it comes to sports, Indy has no shortage of teams to support. Our city is home to some of the most loyal fans in the country. Indy has even been named the No. 10 best city to be a sports fan by Bleacher Report .
In this guide, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Circle City sports, so whether you’re already a devoted Hoosier sports fan or you’re new to the area, we hope it can serve as a valuable resource.
Did you know: Groundbreaking for the Lucas Oil Stadium took place on Sept. 20, 2005.
Photo by @durhamvisuals
🏈 Colts (NFL) | Est. 1953
The Colts franchise originated from the dissolved Dallas Texans NFL team in 1953 and became known as the Baltimore, Maryland Colts from 1953-1984. On March 28, 1984, Robert Irsay moved the Colts to Indianapolis, where the team has been ever since.
Where they play: Lucas Oil Stadium
- It replaced the RCA Dome as the home of the Indianapolis Colts and opened on Aug. 16, 2008.
- The approximate cost of the stadium was $720 million.
- Its capacity is 70,000.
Mascot: Blue
- A blue horse who wears a white Colts jersey with a horseshoe on the front.
- He became the official mascot for the Colts on Sept. 17, 2006.
- He went skydiving in Greensburg, IN for his first official appearance.
Team colors: Blue and white
Major accomplishments:
- The franchise has won three NFL championships (1958, 1959, 1968) and two Super Bowls (1971, 2007).
📅 Sneak peek at the team’s upcoming season.
There’s nothing like the energy at a Pacers game night.
Photo by INDYtoday team
🏀 Pacers (NBA) | Est. 1967
The Pacers were first established in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and became a member of the NBA in 1976, as a result of the ABA–NBA merger. The team’s name comes from the state’s history with the Indianapolis 500’s pace cars.
Where they play: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- It opened in November 1999 to replace Market Square Arena.
- Former names include Conseco Fieldhouse and Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
- Construction of the arena broke ground on July 22, 1997 and construction costed an estimated $183 million at the time — about $298 million now.
Mascot: Boomer
- A 6-ft-tall energetic cat, sometimes called the “Pacers panther,” who performs high flying dunks and dance moves in addition to firing up the crowd attending games.
- He wears a No. 00 Pacers jersey and is one of the more accomplished NBA mascots — being selected for several NBA All-Star Games.
Team colors: Navy blue, gold, gray
Major accomplishments:
- The Pacers won three championships in the ABA.
- They were NBA Eastern Conference champions in 2000 .
- The team has won nine division titles.
- Six Hall of Fame players – Reggie Miller , Chris Mullin , Alex English , Mel Daniels , Roger Brown , and George McGinnis – played with the Pacers for multiple seasons.
📅 See the team’s schedule .
🏀 Fever (WNBA) | Est. 2000
The Indiana Fever team began in 2000 when the state was granted an expansion franchise along with the opening of the-then Conseco Fieldhouse. The team is owned by Herb Simon, who also owns the Indiana Pacers and Simon Malls.
Where they play: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- The Indiana Farmers Coliseum is a 6,500-seat indoor arena at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where the team plays some of their regular season games.
Mascot: Freddy Fever
- Freddy is one of the top mascots in the WNBA
- The lovable, huggable character is a fan favorite among children.
Team colors: Navy blue, gold, red
Major accomplishments:
- Tamika Catchings became one of the most versatile players in the WNBA and one of only 11 women to win an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship.
- The Fever took home their first WNBA Championship with an 87-78 victory over the Lynx in 2012 at home.
- The team reached the conference finals eight times, including five straight seasons.
📅 See the team’s schedule .
⚾ Indians (MiLB) | Est. 1902
The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Where they play: Victory Field
- The field opened on July 11, 1996 and was the catalyst for a revitalization of downtown Indianapolis.
- The name reflects the US victory in World War II.
- It cost $20 million to build the stadium ($34.6 million in 2021 dollars).
Mascot: Rowdie
- Rowdie joined the team in 1993 and is known for being funny and mischievous.
- Credited for putting the bear in “bear hug.”
Team colors: Red, white, and silver
Major accomplishments:
- The Indians have won 14 league championships.
- The team has been American Association champions 12 times.
- It won the International League championship twice (1963 and 2000).
📅 See at the team’s schedule .
The Fuel has been playing at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum since the team’s first season.
Rendering via City of Fishers
🏒 Indy Fuel (ECHL) | Est. 2013
The Indy Fuel is a minor league ice hockey team that was founded in 2013 and began playing in the 2014-2015 season. The team is affiliated with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
Where they play: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
- The coliseum underwent a $53 million renovation in 2012, modernizing the venue and paving the way for a new era of sports and entertainment.
- It’s home to the ECHL’s Indy Fuel and the NCAA IUPUI Jaguars .
- The Indiana Farmers Coliseum hosts over 150 events and more than 1 million guests annually.
Mascot: Nitro
- He’s a red and yellow dragon
- Nitro joined the team with the newly renovated coliseum.
Team colors: Black, red, white, and gold
Major accomplishments:
- At the end of the 2017–18 regular season, the Fuel qualified for their first playoff.
- On Sept. 14, 2022, it was announced that the Fuel would be moving to a new 8,500-seat arena to be built in Fishers in time for the 2024-2025 season.
📅 See the team’s schedule .
We’re looking forward to a skyline backdrop at Indy Eleven games.
Rendering via Keystone Group
⚽ Indy Eleven (USL) | Est. 2013
Indy Eleven is a professional soccer team and was founded in 2013, making its debut in the North American Soccer League in 2014, before moving to the United Soccer League in 2018. The team’s name and club colors were officially revealed to the public on April 25, 2013 during a ceremony held at Indianapolis’ Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
Where they play: IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium
- Indy Eleven have played their home matches at Carroll Stadium downtown throughout the team’s existence — except for 2018 through 2020, when they played at Lucas Oil Stadium.
- The team will be getting a new home, The Eleven Park stadium , when the project is completed by summer 2025.
Mascot: Zeke
- Zeke is an English mastiff, a protective-yet-gentle dog.
- He was unveiled on April 10, 2014, when Indy Eleven and the Lew Wallace Study and Museum joined together to introduce the team’s furry friend at an event hosted on Lew’s birthday in his hometown of Crawfordsville.
Team colors: Blue, red, and white
Major accomplishments:
- Indy Eleven won the 2016 Spring Championship after an undefeated season.
- In a game dubbed “The Miracle at the Mine,” the team erased a three-goal tiebreaker deficit in their last game of the season to capture the 2016 title.
📅 See the team’s schedule
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