Indianapolis Fans Flock to See Their Favorite Teams Compete

Indianapolis is gearing up for a triple threat sports weekend as the Fever and Pacers play games on the same weekend as the Indianapolis 500. According to Clare Clark, senior communications manager for Visit Indy, tourism metrics are expected to be up this weekend.

“We’re expecting for all tourism metrics to be up this weekend,” Clark said.

Clark added that having the Fever play on Saturday and the Pacers play on Sunday will further increase tourism and economic impact in the Month of May.

“We are anticipating a virtual sellout for this coming weekend when it comes to hotels,” Clark said. “We know there’s been an increase in demand ever since the playoff game for the Pacers was announced.”

Fantasy sports betting site RotoGrinders reported that Airbnb prices are up 386% in Indianapolis between Saturday and Monday, indicating a surge in bookings.

“With this being the first sellout of the Indy 500 since the 100th running we know there will be at least a minimum of 350,000 fans coming in for that event this weekend,” Clark said. “But when you add in a Pacer game, and a Fever game, as well as the 500 Festival Parade, we know the influx of visitors and residents in the downtown core is going to be massive.”

Local businesses are already feeling the excitement around Speedway.

“There’s no better place on the face to be in the Month of May than Speedway, Indiana,” said Audwynn Newman, a local artist with the Speedway Artist Collective.

Newman and fellow artist Travis Owens shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming weekend. “As the weekend goes on like tomorrow, it will get obviously more crazy with people coming in from out of town,” Owens said.

“It’s a whole other way to enjoy the race,” Newman said. “I’ve sold to people from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Ireland, and Kokomo. It’s just a special place.”

According to Visit Indy, both basketball games and the race will be broadcast nationally, estimated to reach a combined 12 million viewers.