Gainbridge Fieldhouse: Indianapolis Visitor Guide
Updated March 7, 2026
Home of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever — one of the most intimate NBA arenas in the country, right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.
About Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Gainbridge Fieldhouse is the 18,000-seat arena in the center of downtown Indianapolis and the home of two professional sports franchises: the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and the Indiana Fever (WNBA). It also hosts major concerts, NCAA events, WWE, and marquee entertainment throughout the year — the schedule is rarely quiet.
Built in 1999 and substantially renovated in recent years, the Fieldhouse has a reputation as one of the most intimate and fan-friendly arenas in the NBA. The sight lines are excellent from nearly every seat, the acoustics are electric during a playoff run, and the location is unbeatable — a 3-minute walk from Monument Circle and a 10-minute walk from the Indiana Convention Center.
The renovation brought upgraded concessions, modernized club spaces, and improved accessibility throughout the building. If you haven't been in a few years, it's noticeably better.
Getting Tickets
Indiana Pacers (NBA)
Buy directly at pacers.com/tickets for the official price. The Pacers have been one of the more competitive and exciting teams in the Eastern Conference in recent seasons, so demand for games is real — buy early for marquee matchups and weekend games.
Indiana Fever (WNBA)
The Fever are one of the hottest tickets in women's sports — Caitlin Clark's arrival brought intense fan interest that has made Fever games a genuine event. Check fever.wnba.com early in the season, as popular games sell out. Fever games are also a great value compared to NBA pricing — an excellent option if you want a live game without the full NBA price tag.
Concerts & Other Events
Concert tickets are sold through the tour's designated ticketing platform (Ticketmaster is the most common). Check the Gainbridge Fieldhouse website for the full event calendar. For major acts, buy as soon as tickets go on sale — the Fieldhouse's size makes it a top stop for arena tours.
The Fieldhouse's compact design means the upper deck is genuinely close to the action. Sections in the 100s-level behind the baskets are the sweet spot for bang-for-buck. You'll pay significantly less than lower bowl pricing with a very watchable view.
For most concerts, floor-level general admission or reserved seats put you in the atmosphere. Lower bowl sections near the stage are a good compromise between price and experience if floor isn't your preference.
StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster's Fan-to-Fan resale all carry Pacers and Fever tickets. For regular-season Pacers games against non-marquee opponents, resale prices often drop below face value by tip-off. Fever games with Caitlin Clark do not follow this pattern — buy early at face value.
The Pacers and Fever both offer group discounts for parties of 10 or more. Contact the group sales office through the team websites for pricing. Good option for convention groups or corporate outings.
Getting There
Gainbridge Fieldhouse is in one of the best locations of any arena in the NBA — you don't need a car to get there from most of downtown Indianapolis.
Head south on Meridian Street or east on Market Street to Pennsylvania Street. The Fieldhouse is at 125 S Pennsylvania St. It's visible from the Circle area.
Walk north on Capitol Avenue or Illinois Street, then cut east to Pennsylvania Street. Flat, all sidewalk, easy to navigate.
Several downtown hotels connect to the Indianapolis Skywalk system, which links to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. If you're staying at a skywalk-connected hotel, you can reach the arena without going outside — a real advantage on cold January nights.
Uber and Lyft drop-off is on the east side of the building on Pennsylvania Street or the surrounding blocks. Post-event pickup in the immediate area gets congested — walk a block or two north or south and hail from there for a faster pickup.
Parking
If you must drive, several garages are within a short walk of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Book in advance with SpotHero to lock in your spot before arrival and usually pay less than the drive-up rate.
Located on South Pennsylvania Street — one of the closest garages to the Fieldhouse. Expect premium event-night pricing, especially for weekend Pacers games and concerts. Pre-book on SpotHero to avoid paying walk-up rates.
Connected to Circle Centre Mall on Illinois Street, about a 5–7 minute walk to the Fieldhouse. Multiple levels, high capacity. A solid option when the closer lots are sold out.
Numerous surface lots and garages throughout the downtown core offer event-night parking within 10 minutes of the arena. See our Indianapolis Parking Guide for a full map of options and typical rates.
Inside the Fieldhouse
Bag Policy
Gainbridge Fieldhouse requires a clear bag for most events — NBA games, concerts, and large events all enforce this. The standard clear bag policy allows:
- Clear bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12"
- Small clutch purses (approximately 4.5" x 6.5") with or without a strap
- One-gallon clear zip-top bags
Opaque bags are generally not allowed. Check the Gainbridge Fieldhouse website before your specific event, as policy details can vary by event type. Preparing in advance saves significant time at the security line.
Concessions
The Fieldhouse renovation upgraded the concession quality significantly. Beyond the standard arena fare, several local and regional options are worth knowing about:
Sun King is Indiana's most iconic craft brewery, and their taps inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse are worth seeking out. Look for the Sun King stands on the main concourse. This is the local craft beer — don't default to the domestic taps when Sun King is right there. See their full venue page if you want to visit the taproom before or after the event (about an 8-minute walk).
Hot dogs, nachos, pizza, pretzels, popcorn, and the usual concession staples are available throughout the building at multiple price points.
Premium ticket holders have access to club-level food and drink options. If you have club seats, explore your level's specific options before settling at a main concourse stand.
Seating Overview
The Fieldhouse bowl is compact by NBA standards, which is one of its strongest features. Even seats in the upper deck feel reasonably close to the floor. The sight lines are consistent throughout the lower and upper bowl — there are very few genuinely bad seats for basketball. For concerts, the configuration changes based on the show's stage setup.
Accessibility
Accessible entrances are available on multiple sides of the building. The Fieldhouse has elevator access between levels, accessible restrooms on each concourse level, and accessible seating throughout the bowl. If you have specific accessibility needs, contact the Fieldhouse directly via gainbridgefieldhouse.com before your visit.
Restroom Strategy
Halftime at a Pacers game creates long lines at the most visible concourse restrooms. The restrooms at the ends of the concourse (away from center court) tend to have shorter waits than those directly behind the main scorer's table section. Going immediately when you feel the urge — rather than waiting until halftime — is the cleanest move.
Nearby Bars & Restaurants
Gainbridge Fieldhouse sits in a prime location for pre- and post-game options. You have good choices within a 5-minute walk in any direction.
Wall-to-wall screens covering every sport imaginable. Full food menu. Perfect for pre-game and post-game — you can watch the game you just left get discussed in real time on every monitor. Steps from the Fieldhouse on Illinois Street.
Indiana's most recognized craft brewery with a sprawling taproom and a rotating lineup of beers. Great for a post-game pint if you want to decompress before the rideshare rush clears. Nacho by La Margarita handles food.
The blocks immediately around Monument Circle have bars, restaurants, and quick-service options at multiple price points. Good for grabbing something before the game without committing to a full sit-down meal.
Massachusetts Avenue is Indianapolis's most vibrant dining and bar district. A longer walk, but if you're going early before a game or making a full evening of it, Mass Ave has more variety than the immediate Fieldhouse area.
The stretch of bars near the Convention Center on South Illinois Street and nearby blocks is packed on event nights. If you're staying near the Convention Center, this is a convenient pre-game stop that doesn't require backtracking.
Stadium Tours
Gainbridge Fieldhouse offers behind-the-scenes tours that take you through areas not accessible on a normal game day — locker rooms, the court level, press areas, and other off-limits spaces. Tours are a good option for Pacers fans, basketball enthusiasts, and visitors who want to see the building even when there isn't a game scheduled.
Tours are worth considering if you're in Indianapolis for a convention or extended visit and want something to do on a day without a game. The building itself is interesting, and the access to normally closed areas makes it more than just walking around the seating bowl.
Tips for First-Timers
Security lines move faster when you're not in the wave of people arriving at tip-off. Getting there 30 minutes early means shorter entry lines, first access to concessions before the rush, and time to find your seats without stress. The Fieldhouse opens 90 minutes before tip-off, but 30 minutes is a practical target.
The bag check at security is where lines form and where most entry delays happen. Having a compliant clear bag means you go straight through rather than being redirected or having your bag searched. It's the single highest-impact preparation you can make.
It's the local craft brewery at a downtown Indianapolis arena — get the craft beer instead of a domestic light. Sun King is genuinely good, it's a local institution, and the stands on the concourse aren't hard to find. It's worth the extra dollar over the standard domestic options.
Don't dismiss upper deck tickets on price alone. The Fieldhouse's compact design means the upper deck is noticeably closer to the action than it is at larger arenas. Sections directly at half-court in the upper deck give you a complete view of the whole floor at a fraction of lower-bowl pricing.
WNBA games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse are genuinely excellent live sports — good pace, close action, and competitive basketball. With Caitlin Clark in the lineup, the Fever have become one of the most exciting teams in women's professional sports. Fever tickets are generally less expensive than Pacers tickets, and the atmosphere for high-profile games is electric. Consider a Fever game if you want live sports at the Fieldhouse without the full NBA price point.
If your hotel connects to the downtown skywalk, use it. January Pacers games in Indianapolis are cold — being able to walk to the arena through climate-controlled corridors is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade over bundling up and walking outside.
Plan Your Visit
Check the Gainbridge Fieldhouse event calendar for upcoming Pacers games, Fever games, concerts, and tours. Monument Circle is a 3-minute walk — make a full evening of it.