Indianapolis gears up for Big Ten football championship, Fan Fest

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Saturday’s Big Ten Championship football game be in Indianapolis as the Indiana Hoosiers take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

But before the kickoff on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, fans from across the country will get ready for the big game with the Big Ten Fan Fest in the adjacent Indiana Convention Center.

The event will start at 3 p.m. Friday, but organizers on Wednesday gave News 8 a sneak peek of their preparations. In the middle of 200,000 square feet of convention space was a 40-yard football field. Organizers say the field will be used for entertainment including prep rallies and flag football games.

Adam McCaffery, communications coordinator of the Big Ten Conference, said Wednesday, “Everyone involved is really excited. It should be a great match. Two great teams and two programs.”

The Fan Fest will be 3-9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.

Dan Gliot, senior director of marketing communications for the Indiana Sports Corp, said Wednesday, “There are so many cool activations to do around here: If you want to run the 40-yard dash; if you want to catch a ball; if you want to kick a field goal; if you want to do a flag football field clinic. It’s very family-friendly. It’s an awesome way to get excited and get the family together, really get together to experience what college football is about.”

Vendors, games, performances, giveaways, virtual reality games, IndyCar cars and food will be part of the fun.

Plus, for the first time, the Fan Fest will have a wing-eating competition with competitive eater Joey Chestnut.

Fans with a game ticket can attend the Fan Fest for free. Fans without game tickets can pay for the Fan Fest separately at the entrance. Children wearing a jersey will get free admission on Friday.

Paul Kennedy, vice president of sports communications for the Big Ten Conference, said, “There’s so many people that want to feel the energy of game day and be around other fans that may not be lucky enough to be one of the 6,000+ fans in Lucas Oil on Saturday night. This is the absolute best place to do that.”

Indiana University football fans and basketball fans will be taking over downtown Indy, as IU also faces Louisville at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. IU, Ohio State and Louisville all sport red school colors.

Gliot said, “This city is literary going to be painted red. I know it’s a metaphor between IU and Ohio State and the Louisville game. We’re expecting a huge crowd to come out, and we’re expecting tons of college football fans to be downtown to be excited and to experience everything that Indianapolis has to offer.”