Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown
Indianapolis,
Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was constructed to allow the removal of the RCA Dome and expansion of the
Indiana Convention Center on its site. The stadium is scheduled to host Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.
HKS, Inc. is the architectural firm responsible for the stadium’s design, with Walter P Moore working as the Structural Engineer of Record. The stadium features a retractable roof and window wall, thus allowing the Colts to
Play both indoors and outdoors. The surface is FieldTurf. The elements of kinetic architecture will provide for quick conversion of the facility to accommodate a variety of events.
Features:
Seating capacity for football games is 62,421; an increase of more than 5,000 over the RCA Dome.[3] For football, the stadium can be expanded to a capacity of 70,000 for large events, such as the Super Bowl. The stadium's basketball configuration can exceed the 70,000 minimum seating capacity required to host the NCAA Final Four.
Mechanized Retractable Roof:
Lucas Oil Stadium has a retractable roof designed by Uni-Systems that, like the Veltins-Arena, divides lengthwise into two retractable panels, with each half sliding down the sloping roof of the stadium into the open position.
NFL Rules For Roof Opening:
The home team determines if roof is to be opened or closed 90 minutes before kickoff. The roof remains open unless precipitation or lightning is within the vicinity of the stadium, the temperature drops below 40°F, or wind gusts are greater than 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), in which case the roof operators will close the roof.
Moveable window wall:
A large windowed gate at the northern end of the stadium allows additional light while closed and allows for a more open feel while open. It was the largest movable glass wall in the
World until Cowboys Stadium was completed.
Events:
The first games played at Lucas Oil Stadium occurred on August 22, 2008 and were part of the PeyBack Classic, featuring Indiana High School Football games played between
Noblesville High School and
Fishers High School in Game 1, followed by New Palestine High School and
Whiteland Community High School in Game 2.[20] On November 26, 2008, Cardinal Ritter High School became the first high school to win a state championship on the field, beating Sheridan High School 34-27 for the class A state title.
Annual events:
- Bands of America Grand National Championships
- Big Ten Football Championship Game (2011–2015)
- Circle City Classic
- Drum Corps International World Championships
- Home games for the Indianapolis Colts
- IHSAA Indiana State football championships
- ISSMA band state finals
