Indianapolis Roll Call / Tailgating Thread 2022
MOD EDIT - Pinned at request of another user, and indeed, it is a good idea if only for "sharing of information" purposes. - LSA
I have secured both lodging and tickets to my first ever Big Ten championship game. I am driving from Columbus with friends. We will have a cooler with beverages. Im debating bringing cornhole, etc.
Help me with more plans. St Elmos is booked solid. Are there mgoblog / homesure lending sponsored tailgates? Are mgobloggers planning an informal tailgate anywhere? How strict will Indianapolis law enforcement be about open container? (Ie. If were reasonable people walking from the parking lot to a restaurant with a red solo cup will we be fine?)
What else do I need to know?
MODS- please feel free to edit/hijack with relevant details.
November 29th, 2022 at 8:45 PM ^
Ha - love it.
How strict will Indianapolis law enforcement be about open containers !
November 29th, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
Apparently there is no pedestrian open container law in Indianapolis. Good to know. Here in Ohio there are 'dora' regions where you can drink in public, but not just walking down the street.
November 30th, 2022 at 2:20 PM ^
Correct. You can walk around with whatever beverages you want (no need to "hide" them in a red solo cup or anything). As long as you're not being an obnoxious a-hole, there won't be any issues.
November 29th, 2022 at 8:49 PM ^
You're from Columbus and your cooler is filled with "beverages?" Sounds suspicious to me; I'd take a second look in that cooler before using it.
November 29th, 2022 at 11:50 PM ^
I'm a lifelong resident of Ohio who has been to handfuls of The Game starting in 1990, always in my Michigan gear. My cooler will have preparations for redbull and vodkas as well as irish car bombs.
I invite you to inspect my suspect cooler this Saturday.
November 30th, 2022 at 8:35 PM ^
Are you sure it’s not filled with poop?
asking for the entire city of Columbus
November 30th, 2022 at 11:44 PM ^
REDBULL?!
November 29th, 2022 at 8:52 PM ^
I went last year - and, will be out of the country, or you’d see me in Indy.
Check out the B1G web site. Weather can play a factor (no pun intended) - so dress accordingly.
The Indy Convention Center has some things going on, and - we did hang out there for a bit.
There was a block party with music and drinks which was fun, but - the temps last year were cooler, so the kids preferred hanging out at bars indoors - instead of outside.
Plan early for food, since the crowds will be big - but, they are also used to them for Colts games.
Have a blast! Go Blue!
November 29th, 2022 at 10:42 PM ^
What are the best parking tips that you have??
November 29th, 2022 at 11:59 PM ^
https://www.parkwhiz.com/lucas-oil-stadium-parking/big-ten-football-championship-1243396/?view=list
We went to the West Street lot last year. Drove right in around 3pm, no traffic, and parked no problem. Didn't realize it was a tailgating friendly lot, but there were people setting up shop there. I think they had some porta-pots too. Pretty simple setup if you don't mind walking a couple blocks to get to everything.
December 1st, 2022 at 10:13 AM ^
Dmac, I’m not an expert on parking in Indy. The Convention Center had a big garage - and, that was adjacent to the JW Marriott. Several hotels have their own attached parking. And, I think spot hero could work too.
The lots adjacent to Lucas Oil Stadium seemed good for tailgating too - if the weather I’d something you & your guests are comfortable tailgating in,
November 29th, 2022 at 9:01 PM ^
Its stupid that they didn't rotate the B1G Championship game between Indy and Ford Field in Detroit. Too late now, hopefully the championship game is scrapped when USC/UCLA join. The SEC announced two weeks ago they're scrapping divisions once UT/OU join.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:11 PM ^
Pretty sure the new tv contract obligates the conference to have a championship game
November 30th, 2022 at 4:45 PM ^
Which you can have without divisions. Signed the Big 12.
November 30th, 2022 at 7:03 AM ^
Selfishly I know I’m in the minority but I enjoy it being in Indy, because it’s only a 45 minute drive for me. It’s 3.5 hour drive each way to get to Ann Arbor for me. Made the drive 4 times this year, Hawaii, Penn State, Michigan State, and Illinois. I can say the drive up always seems to be pretty quick but the drive home even after big wins seems to take forever lol.
December 2nd, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
In a few years the conference championship games will no longer be needed when the playoffs expand to 12 teams. Just declare the team that has the best conference record as the conference champions and start the 12 team playoffs in early December.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:02 PM ^
You need to sterilize that cooler if you bought it in Columbus.
November 29th, 2022 at 11:52 PM ^
It has most recently been used to brine a turkey, so it will have been cleaned very thoroughly before use.
November 30th, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
This cooler story keeps getting weirder.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:23 PM ^
It's the Igloo Dahmer model:
Just Ignore the Smell I've Got a Sick Fish
November 29th, 2022 at 9:02 PM ^
I’ll be there! Section 151.
December 1st, 2022 at 9:15 AM ^
I'll be joining you in 151, my friend. Just snagged our tickets on Seat Geek today. I can't wait for Saturday.
December 1st, 2022 at 9:34 AM ^
Nice! I’m in row 33. Not sure the exact seats, my friend has them.
December 2nd, 2022 at 8:15 PM ^
Amazing! We're in 32, seats 16 and 17. I'll be wearing a maize sweatshirt and hat, and am a nondescript 63 year old. I'll see you tomorrow!
November 29th, 2022 at 9:03 PM ^
Is anyone doing any of those Revel XP packages the Athletic Dept. Emailed about?
November 29th, 2022 at 9:05 PM ^
Open intox is not a concern. Bars and breweries provide to-go containers. It’s legal
indy is lots of fun. I usually make the rounds to local brewpubs on our annual trip. skip the NCAA hall of champions. Complete waste of time.
November 30th, 2022 at 7:07 AM ^
Some provide to go containers. The bar has to have a carry out license. Most do, but you'll find out quick at the door if they don't when you try to leave with a beer.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:08 PM ^
Lifelong Indy resident here and went last year.
Weather looks great.
Convention Center/Georgia Street will have a TON going on beginning Friday.
Band has an open rehearsal at Franklin Central HS on the southeast side of town Saturday morning. Took my kids last year. Was a blast.
Indy is a great walking town with cheap parking nearly everywhere with great access to the highway.
Slippery Noodle was absolutely packed last year. Standing room only and a who’s who of UM folks/families were cool to chat with. 1/3 mile from the stadium and doors open at noon. WTKA is doing their pregame show there from 4-7 and there was a line around the place by 1pm.
O’Reilly’s is the appointed Michigan bar location in Indy for the Big Ten tournament and is always packed. Alumni association usually puts something on there. It’s small and the food is blah but it’ll be packed with UM folks.
You really can’t go wrong. Hit me up with anything else I missed!
GO BLUE!
November 29th, 2022 at 9:15 PM ^
Any idea where a good place to catch the USA World Cup match would be, close to the stadium?
November 29th, 2022 at 9:53 PM ^
Some great locally owned bars on Mass Ave that’d be great for soccer watching.
Chatham Tap is top notch.
https://www.chathamtap.com/
November 29th, 2022 at 10:31 PM ^
Now you're talking. Close to Sun King, Metazoa, and St. Joseph breweries. three of the best in town. great recommendation, dude
November 29th, 2022 at 10:43 PM ^
Thanks for the info. Thinking about moving to Indy long-term. Might need your advice in the future!
November 30th, 2022 at 10:16 PM ^
For anyone that went last year, was MDen or other vendors there that sell Michigan clothing? Just realized the only maize shirt I have is the highlighter yellow version from adidas.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:16 PM ^
Indianapolis is a real pro at hosting big crowds. Hell, the Indy 500 is among the biggest! Tons of fun stuff to do. The Broad Ripple area is a blast to name one.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:17 PM ^
I’m coming in from Chicago with friends and with my 11yo son. Hoping to find fun spots to go with him as well. Open to joining/chipping in on tailgates if people are into it. Will be 10 of us in total
November 29th, 2022 at 10:12 PM ^
Taking my 11yr old son to his first ever UM football game, so pumped. Always wanted his first game to be at the big house but hopefully we can find some cool things to experience near the stadium.
November 29th, 2022 at 11:51 PM ^
Taking my 11 year old nephew. He went last year as well. He really liked the convention center setup. He did the time 40 yard dash about 10 times, ran through the inflatable obstacle courses, and played some hoops with some kids while me and my brother had a couple beers. Watched the band pep rally thing in there as well.
November 30th, 2022 at 8:36 AM ^
You have to check out the Fan Fest while you are there. It is free to everyone who has a ticket to the game and then I think $6/$10 (child/adult) if you don't have a ticket. Here is the link https://bigten.org/sports/2022/10/21/fcg_22_big_ten_fan_fest.aspx.
Also, it looks like Michigan's pep rally will be at 6pm in the convention center with the band which is another cool thing they do. I would suggest you get there a little early to be there when the band walks down the hall to get in the convention center. That was pretty cool experience with my son last year because the crowd got a bit rowdier.
Last year I reserved a spot in RV Nation which is right across the street from Lucas Oil. There are tons of tailgating activities going on there. I will be there again this year. I didn't do it last year, but I heard good things about Georgia Street so I think my son and I will check that out on Friday. It is a supposed tailgate part 4pm-9pm.
Go Blue!
November 30th, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
Thanks for the info, sounds like that will be a blast for him! Hope we can find a kid friendly-ish place to watch the US MNT take on the Dutch in the morning too
November 29th, 2022 at 9:19 PM ^
You need to know that Michigan fans don't drink from red cups. Tailgate smarter not harder and find yourself some blue or maize cups.
November 29th, 2022 at 11:55 PM ^
I cant tell if this is sarcasm. I live in Ohio and hear equally as ridiculous comments frequently said with 100% seriousness by Buckeye fans.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:25 PM ^
Slippery Noodle is where Sam and Ira from The Ticket will be starting at 4, but doors open at noon, so be early if have any hopes of eating there.
There are tons of places near the stadium and convention center where you can eat and kill time as the wait times will reach hours or even get to the point where they will turn you away at the door without a reservation. Worst case, there’s a food court in the city Centre mall.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:33 PM ^
IIRC, the Slippery Noodle had an outdoor area last year.. they had an outdoor bar and a food truck with pulled pork sandwiches, which was decent.
I’d suggest eating well before you begin your vote-game adventures.
The JW Marriott was the Michigan hotel last year, not sure if that’s the case this year too…
November 29th, 2022 at 9:45 PM ^
Yeah, I’d like to know where the team is staying. The post game celebration there last year was rumored to be amazing.
December 1st, 2022 at 10:15 AM ^
Jonesie, the JW after the game last year was fun.. it was crowded.. and, it did take a while for drink orders to be filled.
November 30th, 2022 at 5:23 PM ^
What’s the TV situation like at Slippery Noodle? Want to make sure I can watch the Big 12 & SEC title games along with the World Cup matches.
December 2nd, 2022 at 1:20 PM ^
Aplenty, but get there early.
November 29th, 2022 at 9:40 PM ^
I'll be there, Sec. 537. May shoot some original video for the parkinggod highlight reel.
November 29th, 2022 at 10:30 PM ^
We’ll be there! First time! Anyone have advice on parking? I can see there are lots of public lots, but we can’t get there real early. I can see booking spots ahead of time is available.
November 30th, 2022 at 2:32 PM ^
I prebooked parking on Spot Hero - you can set the date and time in/out. I'm at the Washington St Garage which is about 0.5 miles from the stadium, have a 12 hour reservation and only paid $20.