Getting ready for Indy's next big bash
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The 2015 Final Four was the last time Lucas Oil Stadium hosted the event outside of a pandemic "bubble." That changes next spring. Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Indianapolis has experienced an impressive run of major events over the past 18 months, with Taylor Swift concerts, total solar eclipses, NBA Finals games and, most recently, WNBA All-Star Weekend.
- But as the dust settles, so will some of the global attention, at least for a little bit.
Why it matters: These moments are not just opportunities for tourists. They draw residents downtown and help them fall in love with the Circle City all over again.
- "Whether it is something that is of particular interest to them, the sheer volume of people that come into this city and are out and about exploring Indy adds such an element of vibrancy," Visit Indy's Morgan Snyder told Axios.
- "For residents to come downtown, see an activated convention center and downtown core and restaurants busy with visitors, there should be an immense pride in that. Because people coming into our city, loving on our city and spending dollars in Indianapolis makes it a better place to live."
State of play: For Downtown Indy Inc. president and CEO Taylor Schaffer, the next big thing to put all eyes on Indianapolis will be the 2026 NCAA men's Final Four on April 4-6.
- It will be the fourth time Lucas Oil Stadium has hosted the event, but the most recent time was in 2021, when the pandemic led to the entire men's tournament taking place in a "bubble" in Indianapolis and cardboard cutouts of fans filling the stands.
What she's saying: "The last time that we actually held a Final Four, really, was 2015. And I just think the event has grown and changed so much," she said.
- "I think that it's going to look different and feel different for our basketball-loving state than what it felt like 10 years ago."
The intrigue: The 2025 Men's Final Four in San Antonio featured events including a three-day music festival, a week of tailgate tip-off parties, a floating pep rally down the San Antonio River Walk and more.
- The semifinals and championship game had a combined attendance of more than 132,000.
Yes, but: Indy is hosting other big events before then — they just don't generate as much outside attention because they're yearly occurrences and often have more contained (or closed to the public) programming.
The latest: Next weekend marks the return of Gen Con and the Indiana State Fair, events estimated to bring in attendance of about 70,000 and 100,000 people, respectively.
- Snyder said the tabletop gaming convention had an economic impact of $77 million last year, breaking an attendance record with its first sellout. It's already approaching another potential sellout this summer.
Zoom in: More than 25 events, driving an estimated total attendance of nearly 700,000 people to Central Indiana, are scheduled between August and Jan. 1.
Here are a few picks to check out post-Gen Con, and how many people are estimated to attend:
🥁 Drum Corps International: Aug. 7-9, 30,000 people
⛳ LIV Golf Tournament: Aug. 15-17, 45,000
🏈 Circle City Classic: Sept. 27, 20,000
🍜 World Food Championships: Oct. 16-19, 15,000
🧑🌾 FFA 2025: Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 70,000
🏃 Monumental Marathon: Nov. 8, 20,000
🎺 Bands of America Grand National Championships: Nov. 13-15, 45,000
🏆 Big Ten Football Championship: Dec. 6, 70,000
🏎️ PRI Trades how: Dec. 11-13, 67,5000