Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers Travel Guide: Gainbridge Fieldhouse

How to Get There

• Flying In: You will fly into Indianapolis International Airport (IND). Consistently ranked as one of the best mid-sized airports in North America, it is heavily serviced by major domestic carriers like Southwest, Delta, and American Airlines.

• Airport Transit: Because Indianapolis is so compact, the airport is located only about 15 minutes away from downtown. While there is no direct rail line, grabbing a quick Uber or Lyft from the terminal is highly efficient and will drop you right at your hotel doors for a very reasonable price.

Where to Stay

Gainbridge Fieldhouse sits squarely in the downtown Wholesale District. Because Indianapolis was strategically designed to host massive sporting events and conventions, downtown is incredibly walkable, heavily concentrated with excellent hotels, and extremely safe.

Budget/Mid-Range Options

• Hyatt Place Indianapolis Downtown: You literally cannot get any closer than this. This modern, highly reliable property sits directly across the street from the main entrance of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It includes a free hot breakfast and typically runs between 12,000 to 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

• Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown: Located a short walk away near the convention center, this hotel is a staple for traveling sports fans. It provides great functional comfort and connects directly to the downtown skywalk system. Redemptions usually range from 20,000 to 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Higher-End Options

• The Alexander, Autograph Collection: Situated just two blocks from the arena, this boutique luxury hotel is entirely art-focused. It features incredible contemporary design, curated gallery spaces, and the fantastic craft cocktail lounge, Plat 99. Expect redemptions to hover around 30,000 to 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

• JW Marriott Indianapolis: This massive, iconic blue glass tower dominates the Indy skyline. It offers premium luxury, sweeping views of the city, and is the crown jewel of the downtown hotel district. It is about a 15-minute walk to the arena and generally requires 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Nearby Activities

• Monument Circle: The geographical and historic center of downtown Indianapolis. Take a walk around the massive Soldiers & Sailors Monument; it is a quintessential Indy photo op and is surrounded by great local coffee shops.

• The Canal Walk: If you are looking to knock out a morning run or just want a scenic stroll, this beautiful 3-mile paved loop winds right through downtown along the downtown canal, taking you past museums and state parks.

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Home of the Indy 500 the sprawling facility offers tours and a world-class museum showcasing items from the over 100 years of racing.

Pregame Food and Drink

• Commission Row: Located right next to the Fieldhouse in the newly developed Bicentennial Unity Plaza, this is the premier, high-end pregame spot. It features an incredible raw bar, prime steaks, and expertly crafted cocktails.

• Kilroy's Bar N' Grill: Situated right in the downtown Wholesale District, this is a massive staple of Indy sports culture. It gets incredibly loud and rowdy, is packed with flat screens, and is famous for its legendary stuffed breadsticks.

• Tom's Watch Bar: Located on the lively Georgia Street pedestrian corridor just steps from the arena, this massive sports bar features a 360-degree viewing experience with over 100 screens, making it perfect for catching early games before heading inside.

Getting to the Event

• Walking: If you secure a hotel in the downtown core (which you absolutely should), walking is the only way to go. Indianapolis has one of the most perfectly designed, condensed downtown footprints in the country, meaning the sidewalks are flat, safe, and filled with fans.

• The Skywalk System: Indianapolis features an extensive network of climate-controlled, indoor pedestrian skywalks that connect many major hotels directly to the Convention Center and surrounding infrastructure.

• Driving: If you choose to drive from the suburbs, you want to pre-purchase a parking pass for the Virginia Avenue Garage. It connects directly to Gainbridge Fieldhouse via a dedicated pedestrian skybridge, allowing you to bypass street traffic entirely.

Where to Sit at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

• The Pacers Bench: The home team sits in front of Section 4.

• Away Fans: If you are traveling to support the visiting team, you want to target Section 6, which sits directly behind the visitor's bench.

• The Premium Club Experience: Look for seats that grant access to either the Sire Spirits 67 Club (behind the benches) or the Ticketmaster Hardwood Club (opposite the benches in Sections 15-17). Both offer massive, upscale dining spaces, full-service bars, and some of the best sideline views in the arena.

• The Sweet Spot: Gainbridge Fieldhouse is widely considered one of the most perfectly designed basketball arenas in the world. To get great lower-bowl energy without the massive center-court premium club prices, look at the lower-level corner sections: Sections 1, 9, 12, or 20.

• The Budget Seats: The 200-level provides the most affordable tickets. For the best balance of price and center-court views, look at the lower rows of Sections 208, 209, 224, or 225. (These specific sections are wider and sit perfectly parallel to the court).