No. 11: Indianapolis
Score: 48.8
College and motorsports have an oversized footprint in Indianapolis, which is home to 16 properties including the NCAA’s home office, the Big Ten football championship, premier IndyCar and NASCAR races, more than a dozen motorsports teams and the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Nobull. Also, the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and 2028 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four will be at the renovated Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The 2026 and 2029 men’s Final Four will be at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Sponsors (10): While our top 10 markets are home to an average of 50 sponsors, Indy has 10. Gainbridge has deals in IndyCar, Formula One, the LPGA and ATP; Ruoff Mortgage has activated at various NASCAR races in recent years; and Libman has more than a dozen college deals. The town is also home to USA Gymnastics.
What they’re saying: “They have a great sports commission and host committee, travel is easy, they have great facilities, good hotels that are reasonably priced — a national or conference championship couldn’t have a better location.” — D.M.
Editor’s note: This story is revised from the print edition.
