Tips for attending Big Ten championship in Indy
Haven’t seen a discussion of this yet and my wife just surprised me with a trip to Indy for the Big Ten Championship game this weekend (yes she’s a keeper).
For anyone who’s attended the past few years, planning on going this year, or just knows Indy well:
What are your tips and advice for enjoying this weekend in Indy?
From another thread it sounds like the pep rally isn’t happening, and tickets to the Alumni event are sold out, but any other things we should check out?
November 30th, 2023 at 12:44 AM ^
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/b1g-championship-weekend-events-and-past-years-experience
The thread was a few pages ago.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:48 AM ^
Thanks! I am just late to the party I guess.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:48 AM ^
(Double post)
November 30th, 2023 at 1:30 AM ^
Nothing earth-shattering here but Ubers can be really hard to find after the game, if you’re relying on one. So bring warm enough clothing if you might be doing a lot of postgame walking.
November 30th, 2023 at 7:01 AM ^
Uber is very hard and the warm clothing is a very good suggestion.
If you're driving, there is parking but I would recommend going online and pre-purchasing at a specific lot. Keep in mind ingress and egress with easier access to the highway (unless you have a room at one of the nearby hotels, of course.)
November 30th, 2023 at 7:19 AM ^
Good advice on the parking. Last year we booked a room at a hotel where they supposedly had guest parking, but when we got there, their garage was filled up. So we had to drive around to find an alternative some blocks away.
November 30th, 2023 at 8:38 AM ^
Would renting a car service work better than Uber?
I’m thinking of renting a black car or limo to get us to and from the stadium. Would that be easier to get into post game than an Uber? We had a horrible experience with Uber after a bowl game some years back so I know what a nightmare that can be.
November 30th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
Yes. I've been to dozens of Colts games and it's nearly impossible to get an Uber or Lyft after a game. Plus you'll be paying premium rates anyway due to the demand and how late it will be.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^
does this include scheduling ahead? I've actually had pretty good luck scheduling uber ahead of time for events.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:43 AM ^
Has anyone done the Big Ten Tailgate Hospitality Tent before? It says $75/person and includes food, non-alcohol drinks, and 2 drink tickets. Curious if it's worth it.
November 30th, 2023 at 8:18 AM ^
Big Ten Tailgate Hospitality Tent - All proceeds donated to Tony Petitti.
November 30th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
I'll eat enough to put them in the red. I'll do my part.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
Unless they have a Kick Tony Petitti in the Nuts booth it’s not a Hospitality tent to me.
November 30th, 2023 at 5:40 AM ^
Shrimp cocktail at St Elmo's.
Bars fill up quick Saturday if you want to grab some food/drinks before heading to the stadium. Last year we were able to grab a seat about noon and we got lucky. Makes for a long day, but damn fun.
November 30th, 2023 at 6:24 AM ^
going to be nice temperatures and if tailgating is more of your thing instead of the bars we have a group of about 20 vehicles or so parking at 905 S Glenwood Ave. Some of them plan to be tailgating starting around noon. You can purchase at: Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis Parking Guide (indyparking.com)
November 30th, 2023 at 7:38 AM ^
I was there last night and the shrimp cocktail is as good as advertised. If the dinning room is booked they have a lounge with a limited menu but the shrimp cocktail is on it.
really opens up the sinuses.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
Last year they were selling the St Elmo's shrimp cocktail outside at the B1G fanfest area downtown. That's worth the time. There's food, drinks, live music, etc.
Also, inside the convention center they have a number of events. Last year, my son and I watched a live B1G show with some of the B1G channel guys including Jake Butt. Also, Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and the Big Noon Kickoff pregame show guys were there including Woodson. They spoke for awhile and were interacting with the fans. It's a good place to kill an hour or two.
And as mentioned, bars and restaurants are very busy. I recall waiting over an hour to get a table for lunch.
If you're staying overnight, definitely try to get a hotel downtown. We were in the Hyatt Regency and being able to walk to/from the events and the game was awesome and super convenient.
Overall, Indy is a great place for events like this. The only challenge is the likely cold weather (last year it was in the low 20's), but for anyone who lives in Michigan it's not a big deal.
November 30th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
Where was the Big Ten TV stuff set up at? I went to the convention center but only saw the fan fest with the bands and kids games.
November 30th, 2023 at 6:28 AM ^
If getting in town Friday, hit one of the steak houses already mentioned, Then take the wife ( if interested ) to monument circle to see the 240'+ Christmas tree. ,
Saturday seems to be covered in the already shared thread. I'll add Shapiro's Delicatessen as another great place to ea .It's next to the stadium, cafeteria style deli. it's pricey but fantastic.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:53 PM ^
Along those lines, for those of ya'll out of town (it was probably mentioned, but worth re-mentioning), if you try for St. Elmos and it's booked, Harry and Izzy's is the less formal cousin nextdoor that shares the same kitchen (menu comparable, but not identical, still a very sound option).
November 30th, 2023 at 7:16 AM ^
I am almost positive that we had a similar thread, but we've had so many threads in the last several days that I've honestly given up on getting it absolutely right. I think that is what happens when you're in this position in the CFB hierarchy at the moment.
November 30th, 2023 at 7:23 AM ^
It's too bad the pep rally is not being held. That was great last year. I've never gotten to sit that close to the band playing The Victors. Quite a memory.
November 30th, 2023 at 7:53 AM ^
Damn. Are you sure they aren’t doing a pep rally? I was hoping to go.
November 30th, 2023 at 8:29 AM ^
To be fair, they’ve said that the last two years and the band has shown up and done a quick set both times. I’d suggest going to the Iowa one regardless and getting there early for a seat. The UM band will probably be there at some point.
November 30th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
The band will still have their rally, most likely at the convention center again. It will just be a pep rally minus the players, which they’ve done the last two years…
November 30th, 2023 at 1:08 PM ^
I received an email yesterday from the organization running the event, and this is what they had to say:
"Fan Fest band performances will be held on Saturday, December 2, with the Michigan band and cheerleaders performing at 5:15 PM ET, followed by the Iowa band and cheerleaders at 6 PM ET."
I guess we will see if it plays out this way.
November 30th, 2023 at 7:53 AM ^
Can't wait.... We'll be rolling into town shortly before noon.....
November 30th, 2023 at 7:54 AM ^
Downtown is a pleasant place to just mosey around and let your wife/significant other spend money. Trust me!!!
November 30th, 2023 at 8:12 AM ^
Don't let your cousin forget his parking garage keycard to the place he works in Indy, otherwise you'll be waiting outside for over an hour in the cold after the game to get in. I know that sounds specific, but it has happened 100% of the time I went(once) 😂
November 30th, 2023 at 8:17 AM ^
Be sure to bring pepto bismol tablets in case you have some GI distress during the game. This is especially relevant if you get to a bar at 10AM and hang out there until the game.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:00 AM ^
If you see the DB working as the Big Ten Commish, do something you shouldn't, whatever that level is for you.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
The good news is / the weather looks decent - high of 51, low of 37.
So, you can walk around and just enjoy the atmosphere.
Georgia Street was a nice walking venue - music and food. The Slippery Noodle will have a LOT of Michigan fans.
Depending on your hotel location - I’d suggest walking to / from the game.
November 30th, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
I'm still debating doing a there-and-back-again jaunt (from Columbus) - I haven't gotten the tickets yet since I'm still not sure, but if I do, is StubHub a trustworthy source for tickets if I do go?
November 30th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
I believe SeatGeek is the official ticket partner for UM. I used SeatGeek to go to the MSU game, and again to get tickets to the championship game (hopefully there are no issues when getting in though!).
November 30th, 2023 at 12:25 PM ^
Be advised that when you buy them, you won't get an automatic download from SeatGeek. Once you buy, SeatGeek sends a notification to the seller and then they will transfer them to you via a TicketMaster e-mail/link, so it's not instantaneous.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:56 PM ^
I'd try TicketIQ. No hidden fees. They have a lot of 600 level seats currently for reasonable price ($52+). I wish I could go, as this has been the most reasonable prices over the past couple years.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:06 PM ^
have you looked at the ticket thread ? looks like tickets are available
November 30th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
Michigan bar/block party: O’Reilly’s Irish Bar, 36 S. Pennsylvania St., just a few blocks from the stadium.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:04 PM ^
We plan on making a pitstop and having a few drinks at O'Reilly's. Wife and I were talking about Saturday and she mentioned Kilroys, I can't recall if that bar was more Michigan, Iowa or neutral, does anyone know?
thanks and go blue
November 30th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
Metazoa Brewing Company is pretty good