B1G Championship Weekend Events and Past Years Experience
I know some information has already been posted about this upcoming Championship weekend in Indy, but I thought I would try to provide some information based off my experience the past two years. Here is the main website that provides a lot of the details for the weekend starting Friday, December 1st.
https://bigten.org/sports/2023/9/12/FCG23.aspx
If you are bringing a RV, definitely do the one through Big Ten Football RV Nation. It is right across the street from Lucas Oil Stadium and is where a lot of the tailgating takes place. You can arrive any time on Friday and have to leave by noon on Sunday. They also have car parking in this lot that you are able to reserve a space early. Here is the link to the official parking for the game. There are also plenty of other private places to park but I have always used this site.
If you are taking kids, you have to go to the Big Ten Fan Fest. It is located in the convention center. If you have a ticket to the game, your entry is free into this Fan Fest. If you don’t have a ticket, you can purchase an entry into this for a minimal fee. They have all kinds of activities (basketball, FG kicks, football throws, whiffle ball, and a lot more). It can be a little confusing when you get in because you have to sign a release before you get into the main area so be looking for the line to complete this release. This line will be in the common area of the convention center so go in and get to the main entrance of the inside portion of the convention center and you will see where the area is for this release form (I hope that makes sense I am providing this detail because so many people got confused about this and wasted time by just walking around trying to figure it out). Go to the Ancillary Event Schedule in the main link above to see what other activities are scheduled for the weekend.
I don’t have the exact time yet, but there is usually a pep rally with both bands before the gates open for the game. This is also in the convention center and pretty cool to watch. Indy is a great place for this venue and will have a couple streets closed down. They will have live music going Friday night and Saturday.
Please feel free to add any additional information that I have left out if you had a different experience the past two years.
I can’t wait to watch this team on the podium Saturday night to give the ultimate revenge to the entire B1G. Go Blue!
November 27th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
I posted this last year and think people found it useful. Not a lot has changed in old Indy in a year, so I'll repost with some minor updates. Have fun, and Go Blue!
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Been an Indy resident for over a decade and been to every Big Ten Championship since it started save one where I was horrendously sick. I go annually with three pals, all chill OSU fans. If you spot a Wolverine with 3 Buckeyes, say "hi".
Anyway, since I'm local, here's my advice:
Booze
- We don't have an open container law. Enjoy.
- Yardhouse, District Tap, and Kilroy's are good bar options for the day. The best show in town (Scotty's) closed during covid. The Yardhouse bathroom situation remains woefully inadequate, so brace for that. The Slippery Noodle is "historic" and so are most of its patrons on a normal night. The local alumni club meets at O'Reilly's Irish Pub, but it isn't high on my list.
- If you're looking for a brewery rather than just a bar, the following are downtown and worthwhile: Upland, Chilly Water, Taxman, Metazoa. People like Sun King, but eh, drink the Wee Mac if that is where you go.
- If your stay was going to be longer you should also hit Bier, Black Acre, and Daredevil, which are not downtown. But you're not staying longer, so that's irrelevant.
- No matter where you drink, go early.
Food
- St. Elmo's is good but hella expensive. If you go, get the shrimp cocktail because that's the thing. You'll like the navy bean soup. But seriously, if you want steak just go to Prime 47, Capital Grille, Harry & Izzy's (owned by the St. Elmo's people), or even just Weber Grill.
- If you're not after steak specifically, the best concentration of good food is on Mass Ave: The Eagle (fried chicken), Bakersfield (Mexican), Mimi Blue (meatballs), Bru Burger (burgers, obviously), Bazbeaux (pizza), Rathskeller (German food, German beer). This is a bit of a hike to Lucas Oil, so plan ahead.
- After Mass Ave, I'd recommend Fountain Square: Revolucion (Mexican), Bluebeard (hipster farm-to-table sort of fare), Siam Square (Thai), and Upland (brewpub). Fountain Square is an even longer hike to Lucas Oil than Mass Ave, so probably best if you are looking for food earlier in the day with time to migrate.
- Maxine's Chicken & Waffles is delicious and would make a good base layer. If you need breakfast Sunday, Cafe Patachou.
Area/Logistics
- They close down Georgia Street and turn it into a block party for big events like this. Assume they'll do that this weekend. Free and fun atmosphere.
- Skip the NCAA Hall of whatever. Or since we're here in 2023, maybe bring a sign and protest?
- If you're driving you really don't need to stress too much. The city hosts a lot of events and you'll find something reasonably walkable.
- Speaking of walking... if you're staying downtown, there's a decent chance your hotel is connected via skywalk to the convention center and Circle Centre Mall. This is true for the Marriott properties (including the JW, Courtyard, "Marriott", and Westin), Hyatt, Conrad, and Omni. This is a good trick if it is cold out.
- The airport is easy, so don't worry about budgeting extra time on your way out. The airlines say to show up an hour before, and that's sufficient. Doubly true if you're rocking TSA Pre.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
This is perfect! Thanks for adding it. One thing I will add is they serve the St. Elmo’s shrimp cocktail at a tent on the closed off road. It was right across from the stage last year where the live music was at. Indy does a great job with this event.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:22 PM ^
I will echo that! If you can't get in to St. Elmo's, you can still get the shrimp cocktail either in the tent or at Harry and Izzys!
November 27th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
Georgia Street has been a lot of fun. My children are Michigan students - and, they (along with their friends) enjoyed the atmosphere on Georgia Street - as well as some places on Meridian.
The Slippery Noodle was fun too - and, it was packed.
Go Blue!
November 27th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
You’re the man, man.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:42 AM ^
Thanks, great information.
My wife and I ended up at the yard house last year just standing near the bar. That was fine for drinking but not eating. We finally left to find some dinner but no tables were available anywhere and it was 20 degrees out. Definitely need a better eating plan this year. I'll have 3 kids this time with me so we won't be hitting a bar.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
Make reservations now, or go to eat no later than 3. You may still wait for an hr or two for a table, but you should be in and out in time for the game.
Ruth Chris
Weber Grill
St Elmos
Harry & Izzies
Fogo de Chao
all these places take reservations
November 27th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
Thanks. Just made one for Weber Grill at 2:45.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Taking my 2 boys so not going to deal with the crazy packed bars this year. Anyone have recommendations on a parking lot to tailgate in that still has passes for sale?
November 27th, 2023 at 10:55 AM ^
I want the team win by a billion and then just go to the locker room and leave Petitti up there by himself holding his dick.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Has anyone been to the Big Ten tailgate with the food and drinks? Is it even worth the $200 dollars per person? I feel like I could do better than that just going somewhere on my own.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
Yes, for that much money, if you are going with a group, you'll have much more fun and a better selection.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Planning to take my 6 year old son so thank you for this info. I was on the site last night and was overwhelmed by all the stuff going on. Staying at the JW (only room option I could find) but need to figure out where to eat with him.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
You guys are going to have a blast! There is food and drinks available for purchase inside the Fan Fest although it is your normal average food court stuff. They will also have food available outside where the main B1G tailgate happens (on Georgia Street). As someone mentioned above, make reservations now if you want an actual seat or go eat well before 3pm on Saturday. If Iowa shows up like they did in 2021 then it will start getting pretty packed starting Friday night. Just a side note, Purdue’s turnout prior to the game was a joke last year.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
we eat at Giordano's for dinner, a little bit of a walk but it's right on the circle. Great pizza and not nearly as busy as the Restaurants in the thick of things. Those bring kids , they would love the Christmas tree on the circle..
November 27th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
Double post.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
Fuck the Big Ten, but yes it is a fun filled weekend in Indy.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:20 PM ^
Sort of OT:
A good (OSU fan) friend of mine buys a Suite for the BIG10 championship every year in hopes that OSU wins THE GAME. The past 2 years he has sold it, and is looking to do the same this year. I let him know I would share the info on here on the off chance that a group of UM fans would like to go in together on it. Here are the details:
Lucas Oil Stadium
Suite 39A
21 total tickets
5 parking passes
$14,500.00 ($690.48 per ticket).
email [email protected] if interested.
Will be posted on fan2fan sticky as well.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^
Holy shit that's a lot of dough. But not really more than getting 100 level tickets around the 50.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:48 PM ^
Its really not too bad, if you have a large group to share the cost.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:16 PM ^
Does the suite ticket include food and booze? If so, that's a pretty good deal. Either way, not much more than regular tickets
November 27th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
It does not include food and booze, but catering is an option.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
Has anyone been to Crab 99? Thoughts? My 16 year old son and I will be driving down...and the kid loves crab. However, not all crab joints are worth it. I will also need a good beer or four.