INDIANAPOLIS — More than 40,000 fans are expected in the Circle City for the NFL Combine and it’s a stark contrast from how the event has usually been conducted with just prospects, teams, media and the NFL.
A few years ago, the NFL gave Indianapolis a challenge to make the all-business combine more fan-friendly.
Chris Gahl, the executive vice president of Visit Indy, said this is the most fan-focused the Combine has ever been.
”The epicenter of the football universe again in Indy for four days,” Gahl said.
He calls the combine a family reunion for the NFL, saying walking around the Indiana Convention Center is a “who’s who” of league leaders, coaches, reporters and prospects.
”The NFL’s ownership, coaches, past players, prospects, a thousand credentialed media all in one city,” Gahl said.
Indy has been lucky to be the host of the combine since 1987 and Gahl said they have worked to keep the event here in the Circle City for years to come.
This year, Gahl expects a record crowd of fans coming to see their favorite college players or the prospect they hope their favorite pro team will draft.
With those fans comes an estimated economic impact of $10 million.
This year fans will be able to get even closer to the players on the field with free seats inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Fans can even listen to on-field commentary through the NFL One Pass app on their phones.
”You can watch pass, punt, kick, throw, 40-yard dash, all the skills challenge, the high jump, all up close,” Gahl said.
On the south side of Lucas Oil Stadium, the largest NFL Combine fan experience is all set up and ready to bring those Combine drills and more to you.
”There’s the Lombardi Trophy, there’s a Colts activation, there’s a 40-yard dash for families and kids,” Gahl said. “It is very family-centric.”
The best part: everything is free. You just need to register for what days you’re going and how many people you’re bringing on the NFL One Pass app.
As the fans enjoy watching the athletes on the field and testing their own skills outside, Gahl said Visit Indy is working to make sure the NFL Combine stays in Indy.
”We know other major cities are on the ground thinking about how they can take this from us,” Gahl said.
Over the last few years, the NFL Combine returning to the Circle City has been less of a sure thing than it was in the first three decades. Past reports have said the NFL has looked at taking the combine elsewhere. It is locked in in Indy through 2025.
Gahl called each NFL Combine an audition, saying this is not an event they take for granted and one they’re working very hard to keep in Indianapolis.
”We’ll be in meetings with the NFL while they’re here on the ground,” Gahl said. “Talking about 2026 and beyond. What can we do, what can we expect, what’s the timing of their decision making.”
Gahl said the Combine brings a host of benefits to the city even outside that fan economic impact like the exposure to NFL leadership and decision-makers.
”That’s a tangential benefit of always having the NFL ownership and leaders here in Indy is top of mind for other events we might want to host,” Gahl said, mentioning the NFL Draft and Super Bowl.
Gahl said Visit Indy and other city leaders would keep any potential bid on the draft or big game close to the chest, but it is something they think about.
Even as Visit Indy looks toward the future, Gahl can also take some time to acknowledge the run the city is on right now. Indy hosted the NBA All-Star Weekend just two weeks ago.
”We are so proud that the NBA and the NFL, within a 10-day stint, have entrusted us with these premiere events,” Gahl said. “Hundreds of thousands of visitors, thousands of media descending on our city. No other city on planet Earth can say they’ve had the NFL and the NBA in a 10-day period.”
It doesn’t slow down much after the Combine either. Indy is hosting the 2024 NCAA Tournament first and second-round games at Gainbridge Field House in March.
The NFL Combine and fan experience get started on Thursday. The Fan Experience opens at 1 p.m., Lucas Oil Stadium gates open at 1 p.m., and the Combine drills will start at 3 p.m.
