INDIANAPOLIS – It’s a big weekend for sports in the Circle City.
The Indiana Fever played on Friday and will be back in action again on Sunday against the Atlanta Dream and over at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indianapolis Colts have their home opener where they will host the Texans.
The recent success of the Fever and the start of a new season for the Colts is not only having a positive impact on the fans but also on downtown businesses, restaurants and bars.
“Our business has been booming since Caitlin Clark has been with the Fever,” said Justin England, the service manager with District Tap Downtown.
Local businesses like the District Tap Downtown are seeing a new wave of growth as the Indiana Fever continues to draw in fans from all around the world.
“We came over to see the game,” said Niall Darcy from Ireland. “We heard about Caitlin. We love what she is doing for the game and basketball is getting very popular in Ireland.”
All of this is happening while some fans have been supporting the team for a while now like Michele Gallagher from York Beach, Maine.
“We are on fire,” she said. “We are excited. We are going to go to the playoffs.”
Others like Terry Jackson from England are just learning what the hype surrounding the Fever is really all about.
“I believe Caitlin is a massive hero in America,” he said. “This is my first time [at a Fever game]. I don’t know anything about basketball. I don’t know anything about where I am.”
But no matter where the fans are from, they are helping local businesses big time.
“A year ago, we never saw anyone for a Fever game and this year it’s like everyone is out and about and sometimes it’s even busier than a Pacers game,” said Indya Trahan, the house manager at the District Tap Downtown. “It’s awesome.”
But the Indiana Fever is not the only team bringing in a swarm of customers to downtown restaurants and bars. The Indianapolis Colts are getting ready for another highly anticipated season bringing in big crowds of football fans on the weekends.
And with so much recent success for the Fever and Colts football getting underway soon, this is not just leaving an impact on local businesses but also the diehard fans.
“Indianapolis needs this,” said Lou Anne Martin from Plainfield, Indiana. “I was a Peyton Manning fan and the excitement in the air is reminding me of when Peyton was here.”
As sports continue to grow in Indianapolis, the hope is to welcome even more people from around the world to Indiana with the famous Hoosier Hospitality.
“I just like talking to the local people and experiencing the hospitality, American hospitality,” said Michael Glynn from Ireland. “I think [everyone] has been so amazing and friendly. They’ve been generous and helpful. We are having a great time… I am going to come back again. I already know that.”
Again, Indianapolis sports will be back in the spotlight on Sunday afternoon as the Colts host the Texans at 1 p.m. and the Fever take on the Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 4 p.m.
