Indianapolis is more than ready to host Super Bowl XLVI. The first weekend went extremely well for the Host Committee, with almost 100,000 fans attending the NFL Experience in the first three days.
The national media is beginning to filter into Indianapolis and the city will impress. Those on the outside look down on Indianapolis as a host because of the cold weather, no beach, no golf, etc. But if you know Indy, you know it has the chance to be the best Super Bowl ever.
Everything is in walking distance, plenty of restaurants, tons of entertainment and most of all, the host committee goes the extra mile to ensure visitors have a great time.
Throughout the week I’ll share what the media has to say about Indy as a host city, both positive and negative. If one not posted below grabs your attention, please send my way @ScottAgness.
I want this on the record before the insanity starts. I love Indy. Great city. Glad the Super Bowl is here.
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) January 29, 2012
A Super Bowl guarantee: Indianapolis will be a great host. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2012
Indy — fantastic layout for the SB. Also the wings at the hotel are really good.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) January 29, 2012
Can’t beat Midwestern hospitality. Friendly volunteer w/Indy tips on shuttle. Each hotel room has note from local kid on why they love city.
— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) January 29, 2012
Bound for 1st Pats media session of SB week, and with hotel only 5-6 minute bus ride away, already loving Indy as host.
— Don Banks (@DonBanks) January 29, 2012
Indianapolis will be one of the best Super Bowl cities ever. Watch.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) January 30, 2012
Some Hoosier Hospitality: little welcome notes from little kids left in hotel room. Nice. fb.me/t6SggAaG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 30, 2012
I love the welcome note from the kids. 8 year old “Brianna in Rochester” says “we have good citizens and Indiana is a beautiful state.” Nice
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) January 30, 2012
I’ve always liked coming to Indy. Don’t need a car. Good places to eat. People are terrific. Huge improvements to downtown.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) January 30, 2012
Saturday night on phone, @JimIrsay was like a kid on Christmas Eve. Couldn’t wait to open his gifts. “We’re so ready,” he said.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) January 30, 2012
#HOP how is Indy blocked off downtown already? The game ain’t until next Sunday. How did Indy get a Superbowl anyway? This is going 2b crazy
— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) January 30, 2012
Early consensus among small sampling of media types is that Indianapolis gets an A as a Super Bowl city.
— Sam Farmer LA Times (@LATimesfarmer) January 30, 2012
Gotta love Super Bowl week. My hotel charging me $30 to deliver package sent to me to my room. Told me its their handling fee. What a crock
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 30, 2012
Indy going extra mile for #SB46. @oceanaire_indy just called to let me know there won’t be valet parking, in case I was going to drive
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 30, 2012
Indianapolis could rival New Orleans as finest Super Bowl venue. Everything within walking distance. Weather cooperating immensely, too.
— Bob McGinn (@BobMcGinn) January 30, 2012
After 12 attempts I finally have found Super Bowl heaven. Logistical convenience of Indianapolis setup is so good it doesn’t seem real.
— Neil Best (@sportswatch) January 30, 2012
Indianapolis definitely going all out for Super Bowl. Just saw fireworks over downtown. It’s only Monday
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) January 31, 2012
Indy is going off. Much earlier in the week than Super Bowls usually do.Sunday felt like Weds, tonight feels like Thursday.
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) January 31, 2012
The Village People entertained the people in (Super Bowl) Village 2nite in Indy. The place was hopping and it was only Monday! VI days 2 go!
— Frank Supovitz (@SupEvents) January 31, 2012
I can easily say of the 9 Super Bowls I’ve been to, this is the most enthusiasm I’ve ever seen from the home crowd. Indy is a great NFL city
— Kara Henderson (@KaraHenderson) January 31, 2012
Indianapolis, by the way, is putting on the best Super Bowl yet, at least from my perspective. Loving it here.
— Gregg Doyel (@greggdoyelcbs) January 31, 2012
Traffic is already heavy here. This is the earliest, by far, I can remember a city being taken over by people here for the Super Bowl.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) January 31, 2012
Lotta nice folks @ Pacers game.Thanks for saying hello. We appreciate all of you
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) February 1, 2012
Ppl in Indy r AWESOME BABY in hosting major events like the SUPER BOWL! #FantasticHosts
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 1, 2012
Why Indy Is A Great Super Bowl City: The residents really want it here. Not sure that’s the case with most hosts.
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) February 2, 2012
Great thing abt a non-traditional SB host city: Indy set up a welcome band at the airport! #SB46 lockerz.com/s/180073714
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) February 2, 2012
Just finished Radio Row-ing. Baltimore radio vet Nestor Aparicio, longtime Colt basher, said: “This is the best SB site ever.” #SB46
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) February 3, 2012
Super Bowl will come to my house before it goes to Dallas again, but I could see Indy getting another one. Sensational job. #Super Bowl
— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) February 3, 2012
Second time the Indianapolis mayor has come by the media center to say hello and ask if we need anything. Again, Indy is killing it. #SB46
— Ted Price (@tedprice) February 3, 2012
Goodell live @nflnetwork says Indianapolis is a candidate to host the Super Bowl again.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 3, 2012
Downtown indianapolis looks like time square on new years eve!!! Great atmosphere!
— Raheem Brock (@RaheemBrock) February 3, 2012
in case i forget to do so later, let me say that indianapolis has done a TREMENDOUS job putting on this super bowl. #nfl
— Jim Trotter (@SI_JimTrotter) February 3, 2012
Indy is great. Best SB site I’ve been to. But we’re just killing time until NOLA destroys them all.
— gregg rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) February 3, 2012
Can’t say enough about the warmth and hospitality of the people of Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. Great job. Great venue. #sb46
— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) February 3, 2012
Super Bowl visitors apparently are learning why I believe Indianapolis should be permanent Final Four site.
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) February 4, 2012
In a city known for its speeding cars, Indy is pure gridlock right now.
— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) February 4, 2012
Indy starting to feel close to capacity. On verge of bring unhinged.A LOT of folks and not a lot of space.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) February 4, 2012
Wow, Indy is rocking tonight!!! Why can’t it be like this every February when we freeze our asses off at the NFL Scouting Combine?
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) February 4, 2012
I had one NY writer say to me, “We need to get Indy into the SB rotation. I swear, I could live in this city.” Wow.
— BobKravitz (@bkravitz) February 4, 2012
Bob Kravitz is right: Indy deserves another Super Bowl. Great logistics for the game.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) February 4, 2012
I’m so proud of Indianapolis.. Proud to be a Hoosier.. We’re kicking ass when it comes to being a host city #BringTheOlympics
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 4, 2012
I am so proud of the city of Indianapolis. So many people have told me this is the best Super Bowl they have ever attended!
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) February 5, 2012
All the positive comments about Indy as Super Bowl city echoes what CBB media/fans have known about Final Four and Indy as a strong match.
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) February 5, 2012
The NFL will take it from here, Indianapolis. Well done.
— Sam Farmer LA Times (@LATimesfarmer) February 5, 2012
I should say this before I forget to — and echo @LATimesfarmer … Unbelievable job by Indy. Very well managed and run Super Bowl week.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 5, 2012
I truly believe Indy will get another Super Bowl in the next 10-12 years. Hard not to be impressed.
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) February 5, 2012
gotta say, when I first heard Indy for a SB site I dreaded it bc of weather I’ve exp there during Combine. But this city kicked ass this wk!
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) February 5, 2012
Everything about it rocked — the people, events, parties, attractions. Best time I’ve had at a SB in a while. Thank you people of Indy
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) February 5, 2012
Major props to the good folks of Indianapolis. Everyone has been so helpful, cheerful, happy and kind. The city did a great job.
— Ashley Fox (@AshleyMFox) February 5, 2012
If Indy could guarantee the weather we got this week, the Super Bowl should just stay here. City, stadium. Perfect
— Gregg Doyel (@greggdoyelcbs) February 5, 2012
Farewell Indianapolis. As they said all week here, have a “Super” day!One of the best Super Bowl weeks ever. #Hoosierskilledit
— trey wingo (@wingoz) February 6, 2012
#Indy you get an 11 out of 10. Best collective effort by any city hosting any sporting event I’ve attended. #SB46. #midwestpride
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) February 6, 2012
Nicely done, Indy. Even the airport is hassle free. Awesome job start to finish.
— Ashley Fox (@AshleyMFox) February 6, 2012
Indy, you have been a great host city. Thanks for a fantastic week. #sb46
— Christopher Price (@capeleaguer) February 6, 2012
Take a bow Indy. One hell of a job this week
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) February 6, 2012
Leaving Indy. Real #Hoosier Hospitality. I love the Super Bowl. Great weekend of families at NFL Experience, Dozens of Bands at The Village
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) February 6, 2012
Every NFL official and media person I spoke with agreed Indianapolis should become a regular part of Super-Bowl rotation. Super job, Indy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2012
agreed with @adamschefter. everything about Indy was pretty awesome. they truly did have hospitality team meetings as a city.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 6, 2012
Back from Indy. Lived there for a long time, but have never seen it better or more friendly. All should be very proud. Great showcase. #indy
— Kent Sterling (@KentSterling) February 6, 2012
Thank u, Indy, 4 hosting an amazing Super Bowl. I was honored 2 work w/ a community that understands the power of a gr8 event!Luv, Sup.
— Frank Supovitz (@SupEvents) February 6, 2012
Heading home…take a bow, Indy. You were spectacular hosts. Hope the game is back here soon.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) February 6, 2012
Indy was excellent host city. Weather helped as did compact downtown. Streets were crowded every night, starting last Monday.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) February 7, 2012
I am so happy to getting back home to Dallas. But I must give INDY an A++ on hosting the Super Bowl. They surly EARNED another Super Bowl
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) February 7, 2012
On-air personalities:
Brian Billick: “We should do it here every year.”
Mike Tirico: “I think Indianapolis should host another Super Bowl. I’d give this Super Bowl experience so far a 10 outta 10.”
Colin Cowherd: “Indianapolis has done a great job. They’ll get another Super Bowl.”
Steve Levy: “I will go on record, they should play the Super Bowl here every year.”
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Excellent listing — thank you for making this. It’s very helpful and enlightening. And excellent job, Indianapolis!