The Jungle - IU Indy Jaguars

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86

The Jungle 901 W. New York St. Indianapolis, IN 46202

IUPUI basketball website

The Jungle website

Year Opened: 1982

Capacity: 1,215

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The Swan Song at The Jungle

The IU-Indy Jaguars returned home full-time to The Jungle for the 2024-2025 season after playing several years several miles north at the Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The basketball team will remain here until a new facility opens on campus for the 2026-2027 season.

The on-campus building is a 1,215-seat gymnasium that served as home to the Jags from 1982 to 2014. Located on the main concourse of the IU Natatorium, the facility provides the Jaguars' teams a distinct home-court advantage. It is the smallest venue for men’s basketball on the NCAA Division I level.

The 2025-2026 season will be the final season at The Jungle for the Jaguars basketball program. The $10 million James T. Morris Arena will open a few yards away on campus. The state-of-the-art arena will have a capacity of 4,000, a sunken bowl, and multiple large windows providing natural lighting. The 134,500-square-foot arena will be home to the school's women’s volleyball programs, as well as university athletic offices and USA Track & Field.

The basketball program was launched as an independent varsity sport in 1972, when the school competed under the name IUPUI Metros. The Metros joined the NAIA in 1978, recorded their first winning season in 1980, and made their first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in 1985. In 1993, the program transitioned to Division II before moving to Division III in 1998—the same year the school adopted the “powerful, swift, and confident” Jaguars nickname (passing on the names Indy Hawks and Riverhawks).

Food & Beverage 3

The Jungle features a small concession stand in the lobby, offering a simple menu of favorites and alcoholic beverages. The options are similar to what one would find at a high school gymnasium, minus the alcohol. The prices are low and can be paid through cashless means or in person.

Visitors can grab a hot dog, a box of popcorn, nachos, soft pretzels, candy, bags of chips, and Coca-Cola products. The alcoholic beverages include Miller Lite, Coors Light, Modelo, PBR, High Noon Hard Seltzer, and local favorite ciders from Ash & Elm and Taxman Brewing Company.

Atmosphere 3

The Jungle is a tiny building, even smaller than many of the high school basketball gyms in the vicinity of Indianapolis. The arena feels more like an exhibition space in a four-star hotel or convention center, but it holds its own, even slightly filled with spectators.

The court is set up with 15 rows of chair back and bleacher seating that offer up close views of the action on the court. There is also court-side seating for VIP members. The rest of the setup is rather simple, with two electronic scoreboards on each side of the gym walls. There is also signage, multiple banners, and retired numbers on the walls.

The IU Indy band provides the music, and the Jags cheerleaders entertain from one side of the court and at half-court during breaks in the action. This is college basketball at its most intimate setting, and all of the action and interest takes place on the court. There are no masters of ceremonies, mascots, on-court gimmicks, promotions, or t-shirt tosses.

Neighborhood 3

The Jungle is located on campus near the center of downtown. It is a short taxi, or Uber ride to Mass Ave or Fountain Square sections of Indianapolis. However, there are a few places nearby within a short walk after the game to visit, including a slew of regional chain restaurants.

The Mass Ave. The neighborhood is highly recommended after the game, and it’s where you will find the official meeting headquarters for supporters, The Chatham Tap Restaurant & Pub. The soccer-friendly atmosphere provides food, drinks, and lively conversations. Try their wings, bangers, mash, or Scotch eggs.

A few more spots to check out for food on the avenue would be Goodfella’s Pizza, which offers giant New York-style slices, and the Speakeasy Bar in the back. Bakersfield offers tequila and tacos for affordable prices, Union 50 features live music in a very hip atmosphere, and The Eagle has some of the best fried chicken in town.

Fans 3

There is a diverse range of fans, from the young to the old, at The Jungle. They provide a nice mix of die-hards who have no concerns voicing their opinions towards the officials and players, and younger fans who cheer on their hometown heroes.

Access 3

The gym is small, and getting around from your seat to the lobby is quick. The concourses are wide enough to allow for efficient movement in both small and large crowds. The line for the concession stands can become a little long during halftime, but once seated, fans enjoy quick and easy access to amenities in the building.

Return on Investment 2

Game-day ticket prices vary by opponent. For basketball games, general admission tickets are $15 to $20, and reserved tickets are $20 to $25. Tickets for games against closer opponents, Northern Kentucky and Purdue Fort Wayne, will be priced higher. Prices on the school’s website are somewhat lower than those on secondary ticket sites such as TickPick.

The menu prices for concessions range from $3 to $4 for items such as nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and hot dogs. Beer prices range from $9 to $12 per can. There is no merchandise table for team gear during the game.

There is a parking deck connected to The Jungle that charges $7 for 2 to 4 hours. However, there is no charge to park in Lot 86 at New York and Blake Street on the east side of the gymnasium.

Extras 3

Fans have the option to grab a drink or snack from their seat from roving vendors during the game. The Jungle also shares the building with the school’s natatorium. The pool where many Olympians trained is visible through the lobby's windows. A third point is for the throwback Metros gold and crimson jerseys worn by the team. The gold color pops inside the gymnasium.

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Final Thoughts

There are only a handful of remaining games left at The Jungle. The basketball and volleyball programs will relocate to the new James T. Morgan Arena next year, marking the beginning of a new era in basketball for the school and the city of Indianapolis.

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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com