One of the largest convention centers in the Midwest — and the most hotel-connected convention center in the United States.
Overview
The Indiana Convention Center sits at the heart of downtown Indianapolis, connected directly to Lucas Oil Stadium via an underground tunnel and linked by skywalk to more hotel rooms than any other convention center in the United States.
566,600
sq ft exhibit space
11
exhibit halls
71
meeting rooms
4,700+
skywalk hotel rooms
12,000
parking spaces nearby
1972
year opened
The center's three ballrooms include the Sagamore Ballroom — at 33,000 square feet, the largest ballroom in the Midwest, capable of seating 3,400 in theater configuration. The underground tunnel connecting to Lucas Oil Stadium adds another 183,000 square feet of usable event space, making the combined campus one of the most versatile event facilities in the country.
The big advantage: Indianapolis consistently wins major conventions — Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, Big Ten Championships, Gen Con, and dozens more — largely because of the skywalk hotel network. Attendees can walk from their room to the exhibit hall to a restaurant without ever stepping outside, regardless of Indiana winter weather.
Skywalk-Connected Hotels
The Indiana Convention Center is connected to 12 hotels via enclosed, climate-controlled skywalks — more than any other convention center in the United States. If your hotel is on this list, you never need to go outside to reach the exhibit halls.
JW Marriott Indianapolis — The anchor of the Marriott IndyPlace campus. Connected via skywalk to both the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. 1,005 rooms.
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown — Part of the Marriott IndyPlace complex. Direct skywalk access to the Convention Center.
The Westin Indianapolis — Skywalk-connected to the Convention Center and Circle Centre Mall. A reliable convention hotel.
Omni Severin Hotel — Connected via skywalk through the Union Station area. Indianapolis's historic grand hotel, now fully modernized.
Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station — Skywalk-connected through the Union Station complex. One of the most unique hotels in the city — some rooms are inside restored Pullman railcars.
Booking tip: Skywalk-connected hotels sell out months in advance for major conventions like Gen Con. Book early — the skywalk network is the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade for convention attendees, especially in summer heat or winter cold.
Parking
Approximately 12,000 parking spaces are located immediately around the Convention Center, with another 40,000 within a ten-block radius. All official Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium parking is operated by Denison Parking.
Capitol Commons Garage — The closest garage to the Convention Center's main entrance. Located at 201 S. Capitol Ave. Fills quickly on event days — arrive early or pre-book.
Pan Am Plaza Garage — On S. Capitol Ave., a short walk to the south entrance. Often has availability when Capitol Commons is full.
Circle Centre Mall Garage — 4 min walk via skywalk. Validated parking available with Circle Centre purchases. A good option when Convention Center lots are full.
Surface lots (south) — Several surface lots on the south side of the Convention Center near Lucas Oil Stadium. Cheaper than garages, but exposed to weather.
For a full breakdown of downtown parking options with rates and real-time availability tips, see our Indianapolis Parking Guide.
Entrances & Getting Around Inside
Main entrance (north) — Off W. Washington Street, near the Hyatt Regency. This is the primary drop-off and rideshare pickup point for most events.
South entrance — Off Georgia Street, connecting toward Lucas Oil Stadium. Registration for many events (including Gen Con) is on Level 1 near Exhibit Hall HI, accessible from this side.
Skywalk entrances — Each connected hotel has its own skywalk access point. See the Skywalk Guide for the full network map.
First time inside? The Convention Center is large but navigable. Exhibit halls are labeled A through K. Meeting rooms are numbered. Ballrooms (Sagamore, Wabash, and Indiana) are on the upper level. Staff are stationed throughout during major events and are genuinely helpful — don't hesitate to ask.
Dining At & Near the Convention Center
The Convention Center itself has food service concessions during events, but for a real meal the skywalk network opens up dozens of options without going outside.
Inside the Skywalk Network
Starbucks (Hyatt Regency) — 2 min via skywalk. The closest coffee to the Convention Center's north entrance. Opens 6 AM.
Circle Centre Mall food court — Reachable via skywalk. Multiple fast-casual options for a quick lunch between sessions.
Short Walk (Under 10 Minutes)
Georgia Street — 1 min walk south. During major conventions, food trucks line Georgia Street. Your fastest lunch option.
Harry & Izzy's — 3 min walk. Indianapolis institution. Great for group dinners with reservations.
HotBox Pizza — 3 min walk. Cheapest and fastest sit-down option closest to the Convention Center.
High Velocity — JW Marriott, 5 min via skywalk. Sports bar with a full menu — good for groups, open late.
First-Timer Tips
Download the event app
Most major events at the ICC have their own mobile app with real-time maps, schedules, and session alerts. Download it before you arrive — convention center WiFi gets congested with tens of thousands of attendees.
Wear comfortable shoes
The exhibit hall alone is 566,000 square feet. You will walk miles. Convention floors are hard concrete — bring cushioned insoles or dedicated walking shoes.
Bring a water bottle
Water stations and bottle refill fountains are located throughout the building. Convention center concessions are expensive — a refillable bottle saves money over a multi-day event.
Use the skywalk for everything
Don't default to going outside for hotels, food, or parking. Learn your skywalk route on day one and use it for the rest of the event. See the full map in our Skywalk Guide.
Eat early or late
Every restaurant within a 5-minute walk gets slammed at noon and 6 PM during large conventions. Eat at 11 AM or 2 PM for lunch, 5 PM or 8 PM for dinner, and you'll avoid the worst of the waits.
Rideshare pickup points
Uber and Lyft pickups are designated on W. Washington Street (north side) during large events. During peak times, walk one block away from the main entrance to get matched faster.