Indianapolis Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Sports== {{Main|Sports in Indianapolis}} ===Professional=== {{multiple image |align = right |direction = vertical |image1 = Super Bowl-6 (6833620123).jpg |caption1 = [[Lucas Oil Stadium]], home of the [[Indianapolis Colts]], during [[Super Bowl XLVI]] |image2 = Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianápolis, Estados Unidos, 2012-10-22, DD 02.jpg |caption2 = [[Gainbridge Fieldhouse]], home to the [[Indiana Pacers]] and [[Indiana Fever]] }} The [[Indianapolis Colts]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) have been based in the city since [[Baltimore Colts relocation to Indianapolis|relocating from Baltimore]] in 1984. The Colts' tenure in Indianapolis has produced 11 division championships, two conference championships, and two [[Super Bowl]] appearances. [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductees [[Tony Dungy]] and [[Peyton Manning]] led the team to win [[Super Bowl XLI]] in the [[2006 NFL season]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indianapolis Colts |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Ogden |first1=R. Dale |last2=Wilson |first2=Philip |last3=Opsahl |first3=Sam |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-colts/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> [[Lucas Oil Stadium]] replaced the team's first home, the [[RCA Dome]], in 2008.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Lucas Oil Stadium |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=July 2021 |last=Blair |first=Lyndsey D. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/lucas-oil-stadium/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Founded in 1967, the [[Indiana Pacers]] began in the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA), joining the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) when the leagues [[ABA-NBA merger|merged]] in 1976. Before joining the NBA, the Pacers won three division titles and three championships ([[1970 ABA Playoffs|1970]], [[1972 ABA Playoffs|1972]], [[1973 ABA Playoffs|1973]]). Since the merger, the Pacers have won one conference title and six division titles, most recently in [[2013–14 NBA season|2014]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indiana Pacers |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Ogden |first1=R. Dale |last2=Lopez |first2=Danny |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indiana-pacers/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The [[Indiana Fever]] of the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA) have won three conference titles and [[2012 WNBA Finals|one championship]] since their debut in 2000.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indiana Fever |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=June 2021 |last=Lopez |first=Danny |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indiana-fever/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The Fever and Pacers share [[Gainbridge Fieldhouse]], which replaced [[Market Square Arena]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Gainbridge Fieldhouse |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=July 2021 |last1=Opsahl |first1=Sam |last2=Verderame |first2=Jyoti A. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/bankers-life-fieldhouse/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The [[Indianapolis Indians]] of the [[International League]] are the second-oldest minor league franchise in American professional baseball, having been established in 1902.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor1-last=Bodenhamer |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Barrows |editor2-first=Robert |title=The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |year=1994 |publisher=Indiana University Press |location=Bloomington & Indianapolis |page=786}}</ref> The Indians have won 26 division titles, 14 league titles, and seven championships, most recently in 2000. The team plays at [[Victory Field]], which replaced [[Bush Stadium]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Victory Field |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=July 2021 |last=Opsahl |first=Sam |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/victory-field/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Other local [[minor league]] franchises include the [[Indy Eleven]] soccer team of the [[USL Championship]] (USLC), who play their home matches at [[IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium|Michael A. Carroll Stadium]], and the [[Indy Fuel]] hockey team of the [[ECHL]], who play their home games at the [[Indiana Farmers Coliseum]]. Both teams premiered in 2014.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indy Eleven |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=June 2021 |last=Opsahl |first=Sam |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indy-eleven/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indy Fuel |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=June 2021 |last=Opsahl |first=Sam |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indy-fuel/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> ===Amateur=== [[File:Austin Etherington reverse layup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Butler Bulldogs men's basketball]] at [[Hinkle Fieldhouse]]]] Indianapolis has been called the "Amateur Sports Capital of the World".<ref name="Britannica"/><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Slogans and Nicknames |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last=Markisohn |first=Deborah |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/slogans-and-nicknames/ |access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref> The [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA), the main governing body for U.S. collegiate sports, and the [[National Federation of State High School Associations]] are based in Indianapolis.<ref name="Opsahl Verderame"/> The city is home to two [[List of NCAA conferences|NCAA athletic conferences]]: the [[Horizon League]] ([[NCAA Division I|D-I]]) and the [[Great Lakes Valley Conference]] ([[NCAA Division II|D-II]]). Indianapolis is also home to three national sport governing bodies, as recognized by the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee]]: [[USA Football]]; [[USA Gymnastics]]; and [[USA Track & Field]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Amateur Sports Governing Bodies |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Zeigler |first1=Connie |last2=Van Allen |first2=Elizabeth |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/amateur-sports-governing-bodies/ |access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref> [[Butler University]] and [[Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis|IUPUI]] are D-I schools. The [[Butler Bulldogs]] compete in the [[Big East Conference]] while the [[IUPUI Jaguars]] compete in the Horizon League.<ref name="IUPUI"/> The [[University of Indianapolis]] is a D-II school; the [[Indianapolis Greyhounds|Greyhounds]] compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. [[Marian University (Indiana)|Marian University]] athletics compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics's [[Crossroads League]]. Traditionally, Butler's [[Hinkle Fieldhouse]] was the hub for [[Hoosier Hysteria]], a general excitement for the game of basketball throughout the state, specifically the [[Indiana High School Boys Basketball Tournament]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Beck |first=Bill |date=December 12, 2015 |url=http://www.ibj.com/articles/56069-bicentennial-architects-designers-engineers-builders-leave-imprint-on-region |title=BICENTENNIAL: Architects, designers, engineers, builders leave imprint on region |newspaper=Indianapolis Business Journal |publisher=IBJ Media |access-date=July 4, 2016}}</ref> Hinkle, a [[National Historic Landmark]], opened in 1928 as the world's largest basketball arena, with seating for 15,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keefer |first=Zak |date=March 16, 2014 |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/basketball/2014/03/14/how-indiana-fell-in-love-with-basketball/6415971/ |title=History of our Hysteria: How Indiana fell in love with basketball |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |publisher=Gannett Co. |access-date=July 4, 2016}}</ref> It is regarded as "Indiana's Basketball Cathedral".<ref>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Kelly |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/30929532/the-storied-indiana-venues-hosting-2021-ncaa-tournament |title=Indiana's hallowed hardwoods |work=ESPN |access-date=April 22, 2021}}</ref> The [[Indiana High School Athletic Association]] is based in Indianapolis.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indiana High School Athletic Association |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Zeigler |first1=Connie J. |last2=Van Allen |first2=Elizabeth J. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indiana-high-school-athletic-association-ihsaa/ |access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref> ===Motorsports=== [[File:Defense.gov photo essay 120527-A-MG757-086.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|An [[open-wheel car]] crosses the Yard of Bricks during practice for the [[2012 Indianapolis 500]]]] Indianapolis is a global center for [[auto racing]], home to numerous motorsports facilities and events, two sanctioning bodies ([[INDYCAR]] and [[United States Auto Club]]), and more than 500 motorsports-related companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indychamber.com/files/3914/3990/6100/2015_Indianapolis_Region_-_Motorsports_Industry.pdf |title=Motorsports Industry |publisher=Indy Chamber |access-date=January 17, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908084834/http://indychamber.com/files/3914/3990/6100/2015_Indianapolis_Region_-_Motorsports_Industry.pdf |archive-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref> Indianapolis, or Indy, is a [[metonymy|metonym]] for auto racing, particularly when referring to [[American open-wheel car racing]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=August 28, 2013 |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2013/08/28/indianapolis-motor-speedway/2723017/ |title=RetroIndy: Indianapolis Motor Speedway |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |publisher=Gannett Co. |access-date=November 12, 2022}}</ref> Completed in 1909 as an automotive test track, the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] is a [[National Historic Landmark]] and the world's largest [[List of sports venues by capacity|sports venue by capacity]], with 235,000 permanent seats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/69197-largest-stadium-overall-capacity |title=Largest stadium (overall capacity) |website=guinnessworldrecords.com |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |access-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref> Since 1911, the {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} rectangular oval has hosted the annual [[Indianapolis 500]], an open-wheel automobile race. It is contested as part of the [[IndyCar Series]] and traditionally held over [[Memorial Day]] weekend. Considered part of the [[Triple Crown of Motorsport]], the Indianapolis 500 is the world's largest single-day sporting event.<ref name="Keefer"/><ref name="Davidson"/> The track also hosts the [[Grand Prix of Indianapolis]] and NASCAR's [[Brickyard 400]] and [[Pennzoil 150]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indianapolis Motor Speedway |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last=Davidson |first=Donald |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-motor-speedway/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> [[Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park]] (in nearby [[Brownsburg, Indiana|Brownsburg]]) contains a {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} road course, a {{convert|4400|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} [[dragstrip]], and a {{convert|0.69|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[Oval track racing#Short track|oval short track]]. Each [[Labor Day]] weekend, the facility hosts the [[NHRA U.S. Nationals]], the largest and most prestigious [[drag racing]] event in the world.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hembree |first=Mike |date=September 3, 2015 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/nhra/2015/09/03/chevrolet-performance-us-nationals-drag-racing-prestigious-event/71667052/ |title=Drag racing stars are made at NHRA U.S. Nationals |newspaper=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Co. |access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indianapolis Raceway Park |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last=Watson |first=Michael |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-raceway-park/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> The city's [[Indianapolis Speedrome]] is believed to be the oldest operating [[figure 8 racing]] venue in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schoettle |first=Anthony |date=March 2, 2017 |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/62796-storied-racetrack-revved-for-a-restart-under-new-owner |title=Storied racetrack revved for a restart under new owner |work=Indianapolis Business Journal |access-date=October 27, 2023}}</ref> ===Events=== Beyond its many auto races, Indianapolis hosts numerous other sporting events throughout the year, including the [[500 Festival Mini-Marathon]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=500 Festival |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=February 2021 |last=Verderame |first=Jyoti A. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/500-festival/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> the [[Circle City Classic]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Circle City Classic |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Hale |first1=Michelle D. |last2=Verderame |first2=Jyoti A. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/circle-city-classic/ |access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> the [[NFL Scouting Combine]], the [[Indianapolis Monumental Marathon|Monumental Marathon]], and the [[Big Ten Football Championship Game]]. Indianapolis also regularly hosts the [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I men's]] and [[NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|women's basketball]] Final Fours, most recently in [[2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2021]] and [[2016 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|2016]], respectively.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=NCAA Basketball Finals |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=July 2021 |last1=Ogden |first1=R. Dale |last2=Opsahl |first2=Sam |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/ncaa-basketball-finals/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> Notable past events hosted in the city include the [[U.S. Olympic Festival|National Sports Festival]] (1982), the [[NBA All-Star Game]] ([[1985 NBA All-Star Game|1985]] and [[2024 NBA All-Star Game|2024]]), the [[Pan American Games]] ([[1987 Pan American Games|1987]]), the [[Indianapolis Tennis Championships]] (1988–2009), the [[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]] ([[1991 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1991]]), [[WrestleMania VIII]] (1992), the [[World Rowing Championships]] ([[1994 World Rowing Championships|1994]]), the [[United States Grand Prix]] (2000–2007), the [[World Police and Fire Games]] (2001), the [[FIBA Basketball World Cup]] ([[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002]]), [[Super Bowl XLVI]] (2012), and the [[College Football Playoff National Championship]] ([[2022 College Football Playoff National Championship|2022]]). 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