Fan Central is hub for those looking for ‘unique vibe,’ shelter from cold
The convention center is home to Playoff Fan Central—a free event featuring obstacle courses, photo opportunities, a store, food and drink and various other activities.
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Colts lose—and are done for the season
The Colts badly botched a chance to secure an AFC wild-card spot by losing at Jacksonville 26-11 Sunday and then the Pittsburgh Steelers won in overtime to shut Indianapolis out of the playoffs.
Photos: Doja Cat shows she’s more than a fair-weather phenomenon
Saturday’s concerts on Monument Circle featured R&B and hip-hop artist Doja Cat and indie pop trio AJR. IBJ’s Mickey Shuey was there to capture the shows in pictures.
Playoff Fan Central open Saturday through Monday at convention center
The free Playoff Fan Central will feature a plethora of sponsor booths and fan areas ranging from a custom trading card creation area by Panini to multiple obstacle courses and football drill areas from the likes of USA Football and Chick-Fil-A. ESPN will also broadcast live from the convention center on multiple occasions as part of its College GameDay programming.
College title game is important test of Indianapolis’ hospitality
Local organizers of the College Football Playoff National Championship say Monday’s title game can help solidify the city’s reputation as a place where big events shine.
Cold won’t stop Monument Circle shows for championship weekend
Although the game will be played indoors, many big fan events will be outside—including concerts on Monument Circle, an aerial dance troupe, a zipline, and a “Touchdown Bag Jump.”
Hotels, restaurants ramping up for busy football championship weekend
Most of the more than 7,400 hotel rooms in downtown’s inventory are expected to be occupied on Sunday and Monday nights. And a few remaining rooms available on Friday and Saturday are being offered at astronomical prices.
Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Kalkhoven dies at 77
Kevin Kalkhoven, who played a major role in the reunification of North American open-wheel racing, was team co-owner of Tony Kanaan’s Indianapolis 500-winning entry in 2013.
Smart can rewrite legacy by ending Georgia’s title drought
As Kirby Smart wraps up his sixth season as coach at his alma mater, the national championship football game will help determine his place in University of Georgia history. And once again, University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban is in the way.
Delta adds 3 one-time, nonstop flights to Indy for college football title game
Indianapolis International Airport officials announced Monday that the airline would offer service to Indianapolis from Savannah, Georgia, and Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama.
Aerial dancers on side of Salesforce Tower added to national championship festivities
Fans of Doja Cat and Twenty One Pilots will look up to see dancers descend from the 49th floor to the 23rd floor of Salesforce Tower.
Colts activate QB Carson Wentz from COVID-19 list
Wentz, who is unvaccinated, must have a negative test Sunday to be allowed to play under new protocols adopted by the NFL and the players’ union this week.
Alabama, Georgia headed to Indy to decide College Football Playoff title
Alabama will be seeking a seventh national championship in the last 13 years under Coach Nick Saban. Georgia is playing with hopes of claiming its first national title since Herschel Walker led the Bulldogs to the title in the 1980 season.
2021 Newsmaker of the Year: Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp. president
The Indiana Sports Corp. hosted the entire NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which is why IBJ has named its president the top newsmaker of 2021—although we know he would want to share the credit with others.
Revised COVID protocols keep Colts QB Wentz a possibility for Sunday
Less than 24 hours after NFL officials eased COVID-19 isolation rules, Indianapolis Colts Coach Frank Reich is installing contingency game plans as he waits to see who might be available to play against Las Vegas.
NCAA not considering bubble for this year’s basketball tournament
NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt told NCAA.com that the tournament was slated to go on in the normal format and there has been no discussion of playing in a bubble like last season.
Faster, ‘fun-to-do’ golf driving record numbers to the game
More than 500 million rounds of golf were played in 2020, and the early returns from 2021 indicate that this year will be even better.
NFL’s new COVID-19 isolation protocol could benefit Colts
The reduction in isolation time could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday’s key game against Las Vegas after Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
QB Wentz joins COVID-19 list as Colts try to earn playoff spot
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Colts, who have rebounded from a 1-4 start to win eight of their past 10 games. They can clinch one of the seven AFC playoff spots with a win over the Raiders.
COVID outbreaks taking toll on college football bowls
The Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl were both canceled due to the pandemic on Sunday, and the University of Miami withdrew from the Sun Bowl.