Lucas Oil Stadium opened on August 16, 2008, in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, replacing the RCA Dome as the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. Built at a cost of approximately $720 million and designed by HKS, Inc., the facility spans about 1.8 million square feet at 500 South Capitol Avenue.
The stadium’s retractable roof — which opens and closes in roughly 11 minutes — and a retractable northeast window that frames the downtown skyline make it one of the most architecturally distinctive venues in professional football. Its capacity of 63,000 for NFL games can expand to around 70,000 for basketball and major events.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Indianapolis Colts (NFL, 2008–present)
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Opened: August 16, 2008
- Capacity: 63,000 (football); ~70,000 (expanded)
- Construction Cost: $720 million
- Architect: HKS, Inc.
- Super Bowl: Super Bowl XLVI (2012)
- Surface: Hellas Matrix Turf (installed 2024)
The Stadium Experience
Inside Lucas Oil Stadium, fans enjoy 139 luxury suites, two club lounges, and a playing surface that has been updated multiple times since opening. In 2024, the stadium became the first indoor NFL venue to install Hellas Matrix Turf using a geofill process, reflecting a steady commitment to facility upgrades over its first two decades.
The retractable northeast window — a feature unique among NFL stadiums — allows natural light to wash across the field while keeping weather out, giving the building an open-air feel even when the roof is closed. Two large exhibit halls and a suite of meeting rooms also make Lucas Oil one of the most convention-capable stadiums in the league.
Landmark Events and Legacy
Lucas Oil Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012, when the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21–17. The venue has welcomed the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four four times (2010, 2015, 2021, and 2026) and staged the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2022.
Beyond football and basketball, the stadium is a global hub for marching arts, hosting the Drum Corps International World Championships annually through at least 2028 and the Bands of America Grand Nationals each fall. Major concert tours — including stops by Taylor Swift and U2 — have cemented Lucas Oil Stadium as one of Indianapolis’s top live-entertainment destinations.
Explore more: Explore more stadiums.
Lucas Oil Stadium FAQs
What NFL team plays at Lucas Oil Stadium?
The Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League have been the primary tenant since the stadium opened in August 2008.
Has Lucas Oil Stadium hosted a Super Bowl?
Yes. Super Bowl XLVI was held at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012, with the New York Giants defeating the New England Patriots 21–17.
Does Lucas Oil Stadium have a retractable roof?
Yes. The stadium features a retractable roof that opens or closes in approximately 11 minutes, plus a retractable northeast window that offers views of the downtown Indianapolis skyline.
Get More from Lucas Oil Stadium
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Lucas Oil Stadium, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.