Indianapolis is the first cold-weather city to host the College Football Playoff National Championship. The current long-range weather forecast calls for highs in the mid- to upper-30s. Fans can look forward to outdoor warming zones along Georgia Street. Cold weather gear including coats, gloves, and hats are recommended.
Flying: Named the Best Airport in North America for nine years running, the Indianapolis International Airport is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. Visitors can reserve rental cars and access Uber and Lyft from the airport. Click here for a flight map.
Driving: Known as the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is within a day’s drive of more than half of the U.S. population. Please note that the southbound I-70/I-65 interchange is under construction. Drivers are encouraged to take I-465 W to I-70 E and take the Illinois St./Meridian St. exit. Click here for a map indicating major interstate road closures (provided by Indiana Department of Transportation).
With the anticipated volume of visitors for the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, we recommend that you plan your arrival in advance to provide ample time before the national championship game and other ancillary events to allow time for parking and entry. Click here for more information on getting around Indianapolis.
Note: Monument Circle and Georgia Street will be open for pedestrian traffic only. Washington Street, between Pennsylvania Street and Illinois Street will be closed from 3 to 11 p.m. each day on Saturday, January 8 and Sunday January 9 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, January 10.
There are more than 73,000 parking spaces in downtown Indy, including metered street parking, garages, and surface lots. For a map of available options and more information, click here.
Indianapolis has more weather-protected walkways than any other city in America, connecting 14 hotels within Championship Campus (including the Indiana Convention Center which is home to Playoff Fan Central). These walkways can also be accessed via Circle Center Mall. The only walkways not accessible throughout Game Weekend (Friday, January 7 through Tuesday, January 11) is the Westin, Marriott and State Garage walkway. Ask your hotel concierge for more information or click here to see an interactive map of the connected hotels.
Instead of driving downtown, consider taking the IndyGo Red Line. The 13-mile, rapid transit Red Line runs north to south through the heart of the city. The closest stop to Championship Campus is at Washington St./Capitol Ave. across from the Indiana Statehouse. Buses are scheduled to run every 15 minutes. For more information on the route and how to use the payment kiosks, visit www.indygo.net/red-line
The Indianapolis Host Committee and College Football Playoff (CFP) look forward to the national championship game and ancillary events in Indianapolis January 8-10, 2022.
The Indianapolis Host Committee will continue to monitor the current Covid-19 transmission rates, particularly the Omicron variant, and work with the Marion County Public Health Department and CFP leadership to ensure the health and safety of the teams, officials, fans, residents, and volunteers. For up-to-date information on Game Week events, traffic and weather alerts, and additional safety protocols, follow us on our social channels at @2022Indy or IndyFootball2022.com.
The Marion County Public Health Department will have a mobile vaccination clinic on the north side of Monument Circle on Monday, January 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you still need your booster shot or haven’t yet been vaccinated, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccines will be available, with no appointment necessary. If you can’t make it to the clinic, visit vaccines.gov to find the vaccination clinic closest to you. For Spanish-language assistance, visit vacunas.gov.
The Indiana Department of Health and the Marion County Public Health Department strongly encourage all visitors to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status, unless you are eating or drinking.
Host to:
Playoff Fan Central, January 8 - 10
Extra Yard 5K (start/finish line), January 9
Entry: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, January 10. Participants in the Extra Yard 5K should arrive 30-60 minutes before the 10 a.m. start time.
Ticketing: Playoff Fan Central in the Indiana Convention Center is free and open to the public. Extra Yard 5K will have onsite registration on January 9 only to pre-register, visit www.extrayard5k.com.
Security & bag policy: Backpacks or bags measuring larger than 14” x 14” x 6” are not permitted. Review the complete Prohibited Items and Bag Policy.
Mask Policy: At this time, masks are not required inside the Indiana Convention Center for admittance to Playoff Fan Central or inside Lucas Oil Stadium. However, masks are strongly encouraged.
Concessions: To better protect the health and safety of our visitors, the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium use cashless concession kiosks. Both credit and debit cards are accepted.
Enhanced Cleaning: The Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium invested $7 million in health and safety upgrades in 2020 in response to the pandemic, including hospital-grade air filters and enhanced cleaning protocols and is recognized as a GBAC STAR Accredited Facility. The GBAC STAR Accreditation is the gold standard for cleaning and preparedness.
Host to: 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship
Entry: Gates open at 5 p.m. on Monday, January 10, with kickoff Scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
Ticketing: Fans must have a digital ticket to access Lucas Oil Stadium for Monday’s CFP National Championship game. Copies or photographs of tickets will not be accepted. NOTE: Don’t fall for ticket scalper scams: There are no printed tickets for the game.
Security & bag policy: All ticketed fans will be required to pass through metal detectors before entering Lucas Oil Stadium. Backpacks or bags measuring larger than 14” x 14” x 6” are not permitted. Review the complete Prohibited Items and Bag Policy.
Mask Policy: At this time, masks are not required inside the Indiana Convention Center for admittance to Playoff Fan Central or inside Lucas Oil Stadium. However, masks are strongly encouraged.
Concessions: To better protect the health and safety of our visitors, the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium use cashless concession kiosks. Both credit and debit cards are accepted.
Enhanced Cleaning: The Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium invested $7 million in health and safety upgrades in 2020 in response to the pandemic, including hospital-grade air filters and enhanced cleaning protocols and is recognized as a GBAC STAR Accredited Facility. The GBAC STAR Accreditation is the gold standard for cleaning and preparedness.
Host to:
Shining a Light Projection Show, nightly beginning Thursday, January 6
AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9
Allstate Championship Tailgate, Monday, January 10
Entry: Concert-goers can enter the concert area from the south spoke of Monument Circle beginning at 5 p.m. on January 8 and 9, and 12 p.m. on January 10. Fans can enjoy Monument Circle free activations every day up until two hours before the doors open to concert-goers. Business, retail stores, and restaurants along Monument Circle will remain open throughout the duration of Game Week. Be sure to check their individual hours of operations.
Click here to see layout of Monument Circle.
Ticketing: All concerts are free and open to the public. No ticket is required but capacity may be capped at the discretion of event security for everyone’s safety.
Security & bag policy: Backpacks or bags measuring larger than 14” x 14” x 6” are not permitted. Review the complete Prohibited Items and Bag Policy.
Mask Policy: At this time, masks are not required on Monument Circle. However, masks are strongly encouraged.
Please note that the concerts will include pyrotechnics
Host to:
Food, performances, and more!
On Monday, January 10, the CFP National Championship will be simulcast on monitors on Georgia Street.
Entry: The majority of Georgia Street is closed to vehicular traffic, however the Moon Parking Garage is open to vehicles off Georgia Street, as well as World of Wonders off of Illinois Street.
Ticketing: All daily activities are free and open to the public. No ticket is required but capacity may be capped at the discretion of event security for everyone’s safety. Don’t forget to bring your debit or credit card to purchase food and beverages.
Mask Policy: At this time, masks are not required on Georgia Street. However, masks are strongly encouraged.
There is plenty to see and do in Indy, as well as terrific local restaurants and local breweries for foodies. Be sure to call before you go as some hours of operation may have changed and/or reservations may be needed.