Lucas Oil Stadium is the new, multi-purpose facility that replaces the former RCA Dome. The stadium
has a retractable roof (it takes nine to 11 minutes to open or close) and offers grand views of the Indianapolis
skyline. According to the Lucas Oil Stadium Web site, the stadium comes with a price tag estimated at between
$715 million and $720 million and has an infill playing surface, seven locker rooms, exhibit space, meeting rooms,
operable north window, dual two-level club lounges, 137 suites, retractable sideline seating and house-reduction
curtains (which cover the entire Terrace Level seating, reducing capacity to approximately 41,000 for events).
Seating can be expanded to approximately 70,000 for basketball, conventions, concerts and other marquee events.
Football games can be played indoors or outdoors – using the retractable roof and operable north window.
The stadium was funded jointly by the state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis, with the Colts providing
$100 million. Lucas Oil Products Inc. has secured naming rights from the Colts for the stadium at a cost of
$122 million over 20 years. Other stadium trivia: 16,000 tons of steel used in construction, 9,100 pieces of
exterior glass, 1,400 toilet fixtures, 14 escalators, 11 passenger elevators and 148 concession stands. In 2010,
the stadium will have in place a pedestrian connector directing patrons to and from the newly expanded convention
center and several hotels and entertainment options.
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