History of Lucas Oil Stadium in Timeline

Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, that opened on August 16, 2008. It serves as the home field for the Indianapolis Colts, replacing the RCA Dome. Its construction facilitated the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center. The stadium is located south of South Street, near the former site of the RCA Dome, and its naming rights are held by Lucas Oil corporation. It features a retractable roof.

1984: Colts' first season at RCA Dome

1984 was the Indianapolis Colts' first season at the RCA Dome

August 9, 2006: DCI Announcement

On August 9, 2006, Drum Corps International (DCI) announced it would move its corporate offices to Indianapolis and hold the DCI World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium every year through 2018, beginning in 2008.

August 2006: Stadium Operating Expenses Estimated

In August 2006, the Capital Improvement Board estimated that Lucas Oil Stadium's operating expenses would be $10 million more per year than the RCA Dome.

2006: Lucas Oil Secures Naming Rights

In 2006, Lucas Oil secured the naming rights for the stadium for $122 million over 20 years.

2007: Final Season at RCA Dome

2007 marked the Indianapolis Colts' final season at the RCA Dome.

August 16, 2008: Lucas Oil Stadium Opening

On August 16, 2008, Lucas Oil Stadium officially opened in Indianapolis, Indiana, replacing the RCA Dome as the home field for the Indianapolis Colts.

August 22, 2008: PeyBack Classic Games

On August 22, 2008, the first games were played at Lucas Oil Stadium as part of the PeyBack Classic, featuring Indiana high school football games.

August 24, 2008: First Colts Game at Lucas Oil Stadium

On August 24, 2008, the Indianapolis Colts played their first game at Lucas Oil Stadium, a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, which resulted in a 20-7 loss.

September 7, 2008: First Regular Season Colts Game

On September 7, 2008, the Indianapolis Colts played their first regular season game at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Chicago Bears, a Super Bowl XLI rematch, which ended in a 29-13 defeat.

2008: Inaugural DCI Event Delayed

Due to construction delays, the inaugural DCI World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium were moved to Memorial Stadium in Bloomington for 2008.

September 16, 2009: Colts Respond to Criticisms

On September 16, 2009, the Colts organization responded to criticisms regarding favorable lease terms and revenue percentages in an open letter to fans, after concerns about the stadium's $20 million operating deficit.

2009: First DCI World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium

In 2009, the DCI World Championships were held for the first time at Lucas Oil Stadium.

August 1, 2013: First Soccer Game at Lucas Oil Stadium

On August 1, 2013, Lucas Oil Stadium hosted its first soccer game, a first-round International Champions Cup match between Chelsea and Inter Milan, drawing 41,983 fans.

September 8, 2013: Rail Collapse Injures Fans

On September 8, 2013, a rail over the opposing team tunnel collapsed after the Colts defeated the Oakland Raiders, injuring two fans.

September 3, 2015: Falling Bolt Injures Fans

On September 3, 2015, during an NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, three fans were injured by a bolt that fell from the roof of Lucas Oil Stadium.

2015: DCI Contract Extension

In 2015, Drum Corps International and Indianapolis announced a 10-year contract extension, ensuring the World Championships would continue through 2028.

2018: Indy Eleven's Home Field

From 2018, Lucas Oil Stadium became the home field for the United Soccer League's Indy Eleven.

2018: FieldTurf Replaced

In 2018, the original FieldTurf surface at Lucas Oil Stadium was replaced with Shaw Sports Momentum Pro.

2018: DCI World Championships Through 2018

Through 2018, Lucas Oil Stadium was scheduled to host the DCI World Championships annually.

2020: Indy Eleven's home field

In 2020, Lucas Oil Stadium continued to serve as the home field for the United Soccer League's Indy Eleven.

2020: DCI World Championships Cancelled

In 2020, the DCI World Championships were cancelled at Lucas Oil Stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 2021: 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament

In March 2021, Lucas Oil Stadium hosted various rounds of the 2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, including the Final Four and championship game, as part of the NCAA's decision to consolidate the tournament in Indiana due to the COVID-19 pandemic.