Indianapolis Colts · NFL · AFC South

Tailgating at Lucas Oil Stadium

Lucas Oil Stadium and downtown Indianapolis from above
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, cropped

The Colts don't run a party lot, so Indianapolis tailgates downtown. Three to four hours before kickoff, Georgia Street between the convention center and the stadium opens to walkers with drinks in cups, food trucks and bar patios. The Slippery Noodle, which bills itself as Indiana's oldest bar, is a short walk north on South Meridian with every TV on the game, and out-of-towners book a St. Elmo's shrimp cocktail ahead. If you want a real lot, the Hurst bean-company field by Gate 10 is the one fans call the party lot, with live music and grills going. Inside, order the pork tenderloin sandwich.

The lot answer

Colts fans tailgate in the surface lots around Lucas Oil Stadium, which private operators run; single-game parking goes through ParkWhiz. The Blue South Lot at 601 S. Capitol Ave. sits right below the stadium, and the Purple, Orange, Maroon, Red and Pink lots are the others the Colts list for the season. RV crews reserve through Denison Parking.

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lots open before kickoff
5 hrs
be downtown this early
3 hrs
operators set grill rules
By lot
pregame zone, no ticket
Free
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Rules checked Oct 14, 2026
Sources

Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against colts.com and nfl.com.

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Can't miss

  1. Downtown through the glass The north end is a wall of glass that frames the downtown skyline, and sometimes the roof opens too.

Quick answers

What time do the Lucas Oil Stadium lots open?

5 hours before kickoff. Touchdown Town opens 3 hours before, and stadium gates open 2 hours before.

Can you grill at Lucas Oil Stadium?

It depends on your lot. The Colts don't operate the lots, and tailgating rules are up to each lot operator, so check with yours before you pack a grill.

Can you drink at Colts tailgates?

Lot rules come from your operator. Inside, you need to be 21 with a government photo ID, you can buy 2 drinks per trip, and sales end by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Do you need a ticket to tailgate?

Not for Touchdown Town, which is free with no ticket required. The lots are run by private operators, and the Colts don't publish a ticket rule for them, so check your pass.

How do you buy parking?

ParkWhiz is the Colts' single-game parking partner. Buy before game day, and contact your parking provider, not the Colts, if something goes wrong with the pass.

Where to park

The Colts don't run any lots. Single-game parking goes through ParkWhiz, and these are the lots the team lists for the season.

Blue South Lot
601 S. Capitol Ave., right below the stadium.
Purple IFA Lot
650 S. West St., southwest of the stadium.
Orange Horseshoe
345 W. McCarty St., just south of McCarty.
Maroon Lot A
303 S. Missouri St., north of South St.
Red Rolls-Royce B
E. Norwood St., southeast of the stadium.
Pink LaRosa South
401 S. Pennsylvania St.
Garages
Silver Rolls-Royce (25 W. Henry St.), Yellow Government Center (42 S. Missouri St.) and Teal Plaza (109 S. Capitol Ave.).
RV
Reserve through Denison Parking, (317) 916-1760.
Accessible
In every lot and garage around the stadium, with a state placard or plate. ADA drop-off is at the southwest corner via northbound Missouri St.
Lucas Oil Stadium parking lots, simplified
Lucas Oil Stadium parking lots, simplified
 See the official Lucas Oil Stadium parking map

Downtown construction is running all season, with ramp and street closures on game weekends. Check 511in.org before you leave.
Save your parking provider's name and contact. They handle your pass, not the Colts.
No car? Rideshare drops off and picks up on northbound Illinois St., one block east of the stadium. Postgame taxis line up on the west side of Illinois St., south of South St.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against colts.com and nfl.com.

The rule that matters most at Lucas Oil: the Colts don't run the lots, so your operator writes the tailgate rules.

Grills
Set by your lot's operator. Check before you load one.
Alcohol
Lot rules come from your operator. Inside: 21 and over, government photo ID, 2 drinks per trip, sales end by the end of the 3rd quarter.
Your space
Tailgating is allowed in the lots around the stadium. Don't reserve spots for people arriving later.
Who runs it
Private lot operators. Pass problems go to your parking provider.
Not allowed inside
Coolers, outside food, drones, fireworks and selfie sticks, among others.
Bags at the gate
NFL clear bag policy: clear up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches or a 1-gallon freezer bag, plus a small bag up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
Gates open
2 hours before kickoff. No re-entry.
Paying inside
Cashless. Card and mobile only.
Compare the rules in all 173 guides →

Before you go

Colts parking and transportationColts A to Z guideTouchdown TownNFL clear bag policyOfficial parking map (PDF)

Official pages. Rules change; check them the week of the game.

Pack for Indianapolis

What we'd bring.

  • Indianapolis Colts 3x5 Flag

    $23.79

    Ships free

    Your team's 3x5 flag with metal grommets. Hang it and your crew finds your spot in the lot.

  • 27 qt Hard Cooler, 24 Cans

    $199

    Ships free

    A hard cooler that fits the trunk and the tight space behind the car.

Everything we carry for Colts fans →

More for this lot

November and December games mean a cold lot even with the roof closed. Dress for the lot, not the seat.

Shipping and returns

Get the Pregame for the Colts. Your lot, your game and what to cook, every week. Free.Get the Pregame for the Colts

Where the party is

Indy doesn't have one big lot. The tailgate is split across surface lots run by different operators, each with its own rules. Touchdown Town at the North Gate is the one spot everybody walks past.

Free for everyone

Touchdown Town

Free, no ticket needed, at the North Gate along South St. It opens 3 hours before kickoff with live music, the Colts drumline and food trucks.

The closest lot

The Blue South Lot

Right below the stadium at 601 S. Capitol Ave.

Room to spread

The Purple IFA Lot

The big surface lot southwest of the stadium at 650 S. West St.

Know a setup worth showing off? Nominate your tailgate.

What to eat

Cook to your lot's rules. If your operator says no open flame, bring food that's hot when you leave the house. Coolers and outside food stay out of the stadium.

Cook thisWhat to cook at a tailgate (that survives the lot)

Getting out

Downtown helps you after the game: there's somewhere to be besides your car. Best first:

  1. Stay downtown a while. Eat, have a coffee, and let the garages and closures clear before you drive.
  2. Rideshare from Illinois St. Pickups run on northbound Illinois St., one block east of the stadium.
  3. Take a cab. The postgame taxi lane is on the west side of Illinois St., south of South St.

  4. Skip this

    Drive out the way you remember. Ramps and streets close on game weekends this season. Check 511in.org, then follow the officers.

First time here?

  • Book parking before game day. ParkWhiz is the Colts' single-game partner.
  • Save your parking provider's contact. The Colts can't fix a pass they didn't sell.
  • Check your lot's grill and tent rules before you pack.
  • Be downtown at least 3 hours before kickoff. Construction is adding time.
  • Clear bag only: 12 x 6 x 12 inches or a 1-gallon freezer bag, plus a small bag up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
  • Need help inside? Text 317-644-HELP with the issue and your location.

Visiting? How to join a tailgate

Start at Touchdown Town. It's free, no ticket needed, and right at the North Gate. Then walk the surface lots with something to share.

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