Gainbridge Fieldhouse - Indiana Fever
Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
Gainbridge Fieldhouse 125 S Pennsylvania St Indianapolis, IN 46204
Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 17,923
Basketball at a Fever Pace
The Indiana Fever have been in Indianapolis since 2000. Caitlin Clark's presence in 2024 created a spike in attendance. The team has seen increases in media coverage, season ticket sales, and merchandise sales. The upper balcony seating has been opened for home games in recent memory. All of this excitement has created a new interest in the team that hopes to translate to packed fans at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Fever home was built in 1999 and is also home to the NBA Indiana Pacers. The arena just completed a three-phase $360 renovation plan that has brought it up to today’s standards. The building seats 18,165, and all of these seats will be available for Fever gam
The Fever arrived in town in 2000 and have qualified for the playoffs 13 times in their first 17 seasons. This included a championship in 2012 during the Tamika Catchings era. However, the team has fallen on hard times with seven straight losing seasons, including a 5-31 season in 2022.
With the arrival of Clark, along with previous No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, the Fever began a new era of basketball in Indiana and raised another championship banner in the Gainbridge rafters.
Food & Beverage 5
The food and beverage options have been updated at the fieldhouse and include new and familiar options. The Warehouse District BBQ and Three Point Taqueria are two options that offer fans something different at the game. The Indiana Kitchen offers lemon-pepper and honey-glazed chicken wings, short rib poutine, and maple bourbon sticks.
If you are looking for familiar options, then Fieldhouse Favorites has you covered. Hot dogs, nachos, chicken tenders, pizza, burgers, pretzels, and Pepsi products are available. A value menu offers $4 hot dogs, $3 popcorn, and $8 cans of PBR and Coors Banquet. A unique sweet treat is served at the Steak 'n Shake Milkshake Bar, which offers cotton candy, mega M&M, and crazy chocolate brownie flavors.
A couple of the standout options at a Fever game Photo by Marc Viquez.
The Fast Break Market sells grab-and-go beverages and snacks. A nacho cart offers an array of toppings, and Ben's Pretzels has long lines for freshly made baked pretzels. The Crossroads Eats sells gourmet hot dogs. The Yuengling Flight Deck and the Jim Beam Bar offer beers, wine, and cocktails. It also has various TV screens and views of the playing court.
The Three Point Taqueria sells nachos and street tacos with impossible chorizo, adobe chicken, and carne asada. They also have grilled summer elote and chips with green chili queso. However, a few shareable options include the Fan Court Porkster, a giant pork tenderloin sandwich, and the Deep Three Nachos with multi-color chops and an array of toppings.
The fieldhouse offers platinum liquor, cocktails, draft beer, and wine. Regional options include Upland and Sun King, while national brands from Bud, Coors, and Miller are available on both levels of the building. If you want a non-alcoholic beverage, The Shake Bar is worth visiting as fans can choose from a variety of milkshakes that include decadent toppings and ingredients.
Atmosphere 5
What a difference a season makes. A Fever game feels more aligned with an Indiana Pacers game. A variety of fans walk throughout the concourse and the seating bowl in support of their WNBA team. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse is ideal for accommodating the newfound fan base that has made their way downtown.
Before the game, many fans gather in Bicentennial Unity Plaza, where kids can shoot hoops on the outdoor basketball court, while others take in the atmosphere around the plaza’s curved sculpture and video screen displaying graphics and team content.
Inside, the main atrium feels bright and open thanks to the massive windows that let in plenty of natural light. Banners featuring current Fever players hang throughout the space, while a large round chandelier serves as the centerpiece above the sweeping staircase leading to the main concourse.
The concourse has been revamped and features basketball-themed murals that are both popping with color and creativity, while honoring past greats who have suited up for the Fever, Pacers, and high school teams of the state. The new art is a variety of murals, and the artwork varies in designs and colors.
The fieldhouse includes a massive $4.3 million 20-foot by 52.5-foot video scoreboard, including underbelly panels for improving sightlines for fans sitting next to the court. It almost feels like it's floating when viewing it from the main concourse. There are also plenty of open views of the court from the concourse.
Team banners of retired jerseys, league titles, and division championships hang from the rafters on each side. The Fever gift shop has an array of team merchandise, but it is a little cramped. However, a couple of stands and one station can personalize a jersey with your name on it on the main concourse.
Neighborhood 5
The fieldhouse is in the heart of downtown Indianapolis and closer to retail and restaurants than Lucas Oil Stadium down the street. The only problem is choosing where to grab a drink or eat before or after the game. Located near the arena is the local favorite Kilroy’s Bar and Grill, which offers 40 flat-screen televisions, shuffleboard, video games, and their famous pepperoni-stuffed breadsticks.
Another fan favorite, Brother’s Bar & Grill, is a short walk away and is another popular destination before or after the game. A few more favorite spots after the game include The District Tap, Mr. Tequila Street Cantina, and Pier 48 Fish House & Oyster Bar.
There are many options for a drink before or after the game. Photo by Marc Viquez
It is highly recommended to visit the neighborhoods of Mass Ave. and Fountain Square. The two areas offer live music, craft beer, fine dining, and a little shopping at local retail shops.
Mass Ave. is also home to the Bottleworks District, the city's newest attraction. The Garage houses multiple food and drink vendors, offering an array of culinary treasures. Downtown Indy is also safe, clean, and easy to get around by car, foot, or mass transit.
Local museums include The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the Indiana State Museum, and the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The Riverwalk Canal is a nice spot for a stroll on a warm spring day.
Fans 4
The Fever attendance continues to rank near the top of the WNBA. The team averaged 4,000-plus fans two years ago, and so far this season, leads the league with an average of 16,560 per game. The Fever have opened up the balcony seats, which had been draped off in recent seasons. It has created a mixture of die-hard Fever fans along with new and bandwagon fans. The fanbase feels more like a Pacers game, and attendance is more of a priority than a curiosity.
Access 4
The arena is easily accessible from the major interstates of 70, 65, and 465, with parking abundant downtown. After the game, exiting these facilities takes a little know-how of the one-way streets of Indianapolis, but signs and police help direct customers to their desired route back home. Traffic moves smoothly during this time as well.
Return on Investment 5
Depending on the night and opponent, Fever tickets are as low as $10 on ticket sites such as TickPick. Imagine paying $2 for a professional sporting event these days. Tickets for games against the New York Liberty or Las Vegas Aces might cost upwards of $45-$57. However, check out the dates and times because tickets sell for under $15.
Prices inside the venue are typical of many NBA arenas, and craft beer will cost $10 a can, much less than what we saw in Seattle last year. The cost to park across the street is $25, but meter parking is available at $2 an hour until 11 PM (Sundays and Holidays are free), and there are cheaper parking lot options around the arena for as low as $10.
Extras 4
Bicentennial Unity Plaza is outside the arena. According to its website, it is the focal point for gatherings, offering a space where all residents and visitors will be greeted by captivating landscapes & art installations and, of course, a basketball court for some friendly competition.
The team offers a Game Night Special that consists of a specialty-made T-shirt, cap, or sweater on sale. They sell out fast, and the team store is usually packed with fans in line to purchase one. The team also hands put cans of Poppi soda after the game.
Bicentennial Unity Plaza, Photo by Marc Viquez
Not as strong as it has been in the past, the fieldhouse still boasts an impressive collection of memorabilia showcasing the game of basketball in the state. There is an array of items from former professional clubs from the city, local high schools, and the major universities and colleges in the state.
Final Thoughts
The Fever rank among the WNBA's highest-attended teams, and the atmosphere at Gainbridge Fieldhouse rivals that of a Pacers game. The team draws a strong, knowledgeable fanbase alongside newer fans energized by Caitlin Clark and now Sophia Cunningham. The result is a packed house buzzing with energy night after night.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
