Super Bowl XLVI in Indy just 24 days away – highlights of the 10-day showcase

Indianapolis will host their first-ever Super Bowl on Feb. 5, 2012.

We are now 24 days away from Super Bowl XLVI in our backyard.

What a terrific accomplish, first and foremost, by the Indianapolis committee who convinced league owners to play the biggest game here.

I think more than anything, the NFL was impressed with how Indy does big events. Whether it’s the Indianapolis 500, Final Four, Big Ten Tournament, or thousands of conventions, Hoosiers know how to entertain.

This Super Bowl will be much different for media and fans in town for the festivities. No beach, no golf, and no short sleeves.

Like Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Indianapolis will keep visitors active with a wide-array of other events. I have no doubt they will leave their mark and set a new standard for host cities. I sure wouldn’t want to be New Orleans in 2013. Although they have Bourbon Street, they won’t come close to how Indy hosts the Super Bowl.

I’m eager to see what the events are all about. Although the game is just 24 days away, the host committee knows they now have just two weeks. The Super Bowl Village on Georgia Street opens up Friday, Jan. 27th and runs for ten days.

+ The Village will be busy and active all ten days. There will a variety of booths, activities, stations, concerts and of course food. Nearby on Capitol Avenue, there will be the longest temporary Zipline in the United States. It will be incredible and I definitely recommend it to all coming down. (Note: be prepared to wait in line, and it will cost about $10.)

+ Over at Pan Am Plaza, ESPN will produce over 110 hours of television coverage in the seven-day span. The Worldwide Leader in Sports will host Mike & Mike in the Morning, SportsCenter, SportsNation, NFL Live, NFL32, and the special four-hour edition of Sunday NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday. Some of the most popular broadcasting icons will be on hand all week, and those at ESPN can easily be found here. Fans in previous years like to hang out around the set and get a chance to be shown on TV.

+ Monument Circle will be closed down and a 30-foot display of the Super Bowl Roman numerals will be showcased.

Georgia Street will be transformed into the center of activity come Super Bowl week.

+ For the ten-day stretch, the NFL Experience will be a hot spot. Held at the Indiana Convention, the experience “is a pro football interactive theme park that offers participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football memorabilia show ever.” Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for kids 12 and under. [Click here for tickets]

+ Banker’s Life Fieldhouse (formerly Conseco) has hosted all kinds of events in addition to basketball, like concerts, hockey and swimming. A week before the Super Bowl, the top sports venue in the U.S. will have a new first, hosting a tennis match.

Tennis legends Pete Sampras (my favorite of all-time) and Todd Martin will play in a charity match dubbed, “Match For A Cure.” On Sunday, Jan 29, 2012 at 7 p.m. These two will “entertain area fans while helping cancer charities fulfill their mission to raise awareness about the need to find a cure and provide support for those battling cancer.” [Click here for tickets, starting at $37.55, including fees.]

+ For the first time in NFL history, media day will be open to the fans. One of the troubles with hosting a Super Bowl is pleasing the local residents. Most won’t go to the game and many will struggle to get downtown for the various events. Media day is always one of the most interesting days and this year about 5,000 fans can purchase tickets to sit in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium and observe. [Click here for tickets, $28 after fees.]

+ And finally, it wouldn’t be a big event without musical acts performing. Some of the artists include Jon McLaughlin, Hunter Smith Band, Darius Rucker, LMFAO, and O.A.R. These concerts are free, and at the Verizon Stage on Georgia St near Banker’s Life Fieldhouse. [Click here for the complete lineup.]

+ Indianapolis will be great because everything is in walking distance. Last year in Dallas, many had to drive over 20 miles from one event to the next. Having everything so close however, presents a parking and traffic congestion problem.

+ Kelly Clarkson will sing the National Anthem. Madonna will headline the halftime show.

I suggest planning ahead, leaving early, and follow the suggested routes. Roads will be closed and things will get confusing. Walk whenever possible. And expect to pay New York prices for parking. Like $25-$100. There is also an option to ‘park and ride‘.

Indy will do an unbelievable job hosting the Super Bowl. Talking with multiple people with the host committee, they are extremely prepared and excited to show off  the city. If the bad weather arrives, they will usher it away. A big part of hosting the game is exposure and name recognition. Indianapolis will receive mentions worth millions and hopefully it leads to future games, conventions and visitors.

Can’t wait for this ‘Super Game.’

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