We’re 14 days into the new year and we’ve already welcomed a new sports team + several new restaurants. But that’s not all we have to look forward to — there’s so much more in store for 2025, so get excited Indy. Bookmark this article so you don’t miss out on another epic year in the Circle City.
Big events
Last year was huge for Indy hospitality, from big sporting events to conventions to Taylor Swift to the eclipse, and 2025 is building on all that hype. Break out your calendar and start planning for the biggest and best events around Indy.
- Feb. 1: WWE Royal Rumble | For the first time, Indy will host WWE’s Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium as part of a multi-year deal between Indiana Sports Corp and the WWE.
- March 12-16: Big Ten Men’s Tournament | This will be the 14th time in 28 years the tournament has been held in Indianapolis.
- March 28-30: NCAA Men’s Tournament Midwest Regional | Indy will also host the Midwest Regional this year, with two regional semifinal games and a regional final game to determine which team will advance to the Final Four in San Antonio.
- April 4: Fishers Freight vs. Tulsa Oilers | Indy’s new pro indoor football team will host its first-ever game at its home field — Fishers Event Center.
- July 19: WNBA All-Star Game | Indianapolis was chosen as a first-time host for the WNBA All-Star Game, fresh off the heels of a record-breaking NBA All-Star Game in Indy in 2024.
- July 31-Aug. 1: Gen Con | The convention will return to its longtime home after a record-breaking year in 2024 with a whopping 71,000 ticketholders.
- Aug. 15-17: LIV Golf Tournament | This will mark the state’s first-ever LIV Golf Tournament when big name golfers compete at Westfield’s Chatham Hills.
- Oct. 29-Nov. 1: National FFA Convention | The convention will be held in Indianapolis through at least 2033.
Developments
With so many developments planned for this year, we have plenty to look forward to. Here are a few we’re anticipating most.
- InterContinental Hotel | Planned to open the next few months, it will be the first luxury hotel to open downtown in two decades. The InterContinental will feature 170 guest rooms, two restaurants, 5,000 sqft of event space, and a penthouse suite with views of Monument Circle. On the 11th story, it will have Astrea Rooftop Bar — the highest rooftop bar in Indy. It’s now accepting reservations for arrivals beginning March 1.
- Aloft Hotel | Downtown will welcome a 128-room Aloft hotel at 136 E. Market St. while several other downtown hotels are undergoing renovations, including The Alexander and JW Marriott.
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum | The $89 million renovation of the museum will open its doors in April.
- Factory Arts District | New businesses will move into the rebranded and redeveloped complex this year, making it more of a downtown destination located at the confluence of the Cultural Trail, Monon Trail, and newly-extended Pogues Run Trail.
- 16 Tech Bridge | The bridge is set to open this spring + will be the only one of its kind in the county, giving majority share to non-vehicular traffic.
- Big Car’s Contemporary Art Museum | The new museum will open its doors inside a 40,000-sqft, 125-year-old former dairy barn, including an expansive main gallery space, 18 artist studios, on-site restaurant and bar, event space, incubator storefronts, and audio recording studios.
- Elanco headquarters | The new Elanco campus is expected to open in 2025 alongside a variety of other new tenants.
Is there a big event or development project that you’re excited about that’s not on this list? Let us know.
