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Indiana Pacers: Fan Guide for Home Games 

  • Event Parking
  • Celine Jerly
  • 8 minutes

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Planning to join the home crowd for the next Pacers game? Here’s a quick look at the NBA team and their arena in downtown Indianapolis. Also, find out how to reach and where to park near Gainbridge Fieldhouse on gamedays.  

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The Indiana Pacers franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the original American Basketball Association (ABA) members. With the ABA-NBA merger, the Indianapolis team joined the Eastern Conference Central Division in 1976.  

The Pacers haven’t won an NBA championship yet; however, they have three from ABA. They won their first and only Eastern Conference title in 2000 and have six Central Division titles (1995, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2014). 

Indiana Pacers may have missed the mark in the last few seasons, but no slump in performance is stopping the fans from flocking to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The downtown venue has been home to the Pacers since opening in 1999 and is considered one of the best NBA arenas in the country.  

Before we guide you through gameday transit and parking, here’s all you need to know about Indiana Pacers and their Gainbridge Fieldhouse: 

Why are the Pacers called the Pacers? 

NBA Indiana Pacers’ name honors the state’s history of using pace cars for the Indy 500 auto racing and also its harness racing industry. 

A pace car is used in motorsports to limit the speed of competing cars in case of an obstruction on the race track or bad weather. It was first used in auto racing in 1911 at the inaugural Indianapolis 500. Since then, Indy 500 officials have selected a pace car and its driver for the race every year. You’ll find Pace Car replicas on Indianapolis streets weeks before the race flags off.  

Indiana Pacers Tickets | Indiana Pacers Schedule | Indiana Pacers News  

Who is the Indiana Pacers’ coach? 

Rick Carlisle is the Indiana Pacers’ head coach, assisted by Lloyd Pierce. Calbert Cheaney, Jenny Boucek, Ronald Nored, and Mike Weinar are the other assistant coaches on the team.  

Carlisle’s first stint with the Pacers was as an assistant coach between 1997 and 2000. After that, he was appointed the Indiana team’s head coach from 2003 – 2007 and recently returned to the post in 2021. Previously, he has played in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and New Jersey Nets. His coaching career beginning in 1989, includes jobs with the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons.  

Rick Carlisle is one of only eleven people in the NBA to win a championship as a player and coach.  

Who are the most notable Indiana Pacers players? 

Nine ‘Hall of Famers’ have played for the Pacers in the NBA, including retired numbers 30 (George McGinnis), 31 (Reggie Miller), 34 (Mel Daniels), and 35 (Roger Brown). In addition, Chris Mullin and Alex English have also played for the Indiana team in multiple seasons.  

Indiana Pacers all-time records: 

  • Points – Reggie Miller – 25279  
  • Assists – Reggie Miller – 4141  
  • Rebounds – Dale Davis – 6006  
  • Blocks – Jermaine O’Neal – 1245  
  • Steals – Reggie Miller – 1505 

Click here for leading Indiana Pacers players in the ongoing season. 

Indiana Pacers Roster | Indiana Pacers Standings | Indiana Pacers Players Stats 

Indiana Pacers game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Photo by Seth Reese on Unsplash

Where do the Pacers play home games? 

Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Formerly Bankers Life Fieldhouse) has hosted Indiana Pacers’ home games since it opened in 1999. Before that, the NBA team played at the Market Square Arena for 25 years (1974 – 1999). However, the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum hosted the Pacers’ games during their first seven seasons in the ABA. 

Capital Improvement Board, City of Indianapolis, owns and operates Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The first NBA game at the arena (originally Conseco Fieldhouse) was on November 6, 1999, when it officially opened. The game was the Pacers’ regular season home opener against the Boston Celtics.  

When did it become Gainbridge Fieldhouse? 

When the Indiana Pacers arena officially opened on November 6, 1999, it was called the Conseco Fieldhouse. After 12 years, it was renamed after a Conseco subsidiary and called ‘Bankers Life Fieldhouse’ from December 22, 2011. Indianapolis-based financial platform Gainbridge acquired the arena’s naming rights and gave it its current name on September 27, 2021. 

How many does Gainbridge Fieldhouse seat? 

Gainbridge Fieldhouse currently has an 18,165-seating capacity for basketball games after removing almost 200 bleacher seats from the south end to build the Legends Club. Apart from the Pacers, the downtown Indianapolis basketball arena hosts the WNBA’s Indiana Fever and tournaments like the Big Ten.  

Though Gainbridge Fieldhouse is primarily for basketball, it can fit an NHL-sized rink and also hosts concerts. The arena has the capacity for an additional 10K during concerts.  

Where is Gainbridge Fieldhouse? 

Indiana Pacers arena is on S Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis’ Wholesale DistrictLucas Oil Stadium, the Indianapolis Convention Center, and the Union Station are only minutes away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Once you are there look for a cheap parking garage first before getting into the stadium. The street address is 125 S. Pennsylvania St. – use the map below to plan your route to the next Indiana Pacers game: 

When do the arena doors open for Pacers games? 

Gainbridge Fieldhouse doors usually open 60 minutes before tip-off for Indiana Pacers games. Once you enter, you cannot re-enter the arena with the same ticket; all exits are final.  

The Indiana Pacers home arena has two main entrances – one is off Pennsylvania Street and the other off Delaware Street. You may also use the sky bridge connecting the arena to the neighboring Virginia Avenue Garage, which handles most of the parking for Pacers games. Additional entry points at the north stairwells are available during high occupancy – check posted signage.  

How to reach Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis? 

Although it is a busy neighborhood, you can drive to Indiana Pacers games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Or, you could use a ridesharing service to avoid last-minute traffic and parking troubles. In that case, leave your car at a cheaper parking lot in downtown Indianapolis to save your time and money.  

ADA drop-offs are allowed at the disability ramps outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Pennsylvania Street. All other cars must use other drop-offs/pick-up points on streets around the arena.

Note: Pennsylvania Street is a one-way southbound street.  

Are you planning to use public transportation? IndyGo buses are your best choice – there are multiple stops around the arena; check routes and schedules here. Pennsylvania St. & South St., Delaware St. & Louisiana St., and CTC (Julia M. Carson Transit Center) are the closest bus stops. 

Does Gainbridge Fieldhouse have a parking lot? 

Indiana Pacers do not have an official parking lot at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. However, parking in downtown Indianapolis is easy, with plenty of on-street and off-street options. For example, the Virginia Avenue Parking Garage is steps away from the Fieldhouse and connected to it via a sky bridge.  

Virginia Avenue Parking Garage entrance is on Maryland Street, on Gainbridge Fieldhouse’s northeast corner. The pedestrian sky bridge connects the garage to the arena’s third floor. Bike racks are also available under the garage on the corner of Maryland Street. Some metered parking areas are also available for secure bike parking.  

Note: Maximum vehicle height restriction at Virginia Avenue Parking Garage is 8’2″. 

How much does Indiana Pacers parking cost? 

Virginia Avenue Parking Garage event parking rates range between $10 to $20. On average, other garages and surface lots in the area also charge $10 a spot.  

If you are looking for street parking, meter rates in downtown Indianapolis are around $3 for two hours. However, the city suspends meters on Sundays and a few city holidays. But on other days, you’ll have to pay for street parking near Gainbridge Fieldhouse from 7 am to 11 pm.  

How to find cheap parking for Indiana Pacers games? 

Indiana Pacers arena – the Gainbridge Fieldhouse – is in a busy downtown neighborhood. Accordingly, you can expect parking rates at garages nearby to be higher than in other parts of the city. Before you head to the game, pre-booking your parking spot near the arena can help you save a few bucks. Due to increasing demand, drive-up rates can peak on game days and other events. So, instead of driving around the Fieldhouse looking for a spot just before the tip-off, book your Indiana Pacers parking in advance and save your time.  

Parking a couple of blocks away from the arena will also help you find cheaper rates at well-maintained garages. You’ll find plenty of affordable parking lots within walking distance of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Make sure to book your spot at the earliest for exclusive discounts and special rates at top-rated garages in downtown Indianapolis.  

FAQ

Who are some of the popular Pacers players now?

Some of the most popular players in the Indiana Pacers squad are:

  • Tyrese Haliburton
  • Myles Turner
  • Buddy Hield
  • Aaron Nesmith
  • Bennedict Mathurin
  • Chris Duarte
  • Isaiah Jackson
  • T.J. McConnell
  • Goga Bitadze
  • Andrew Nembhard

What is the mascot of the Indiana Pacers?

Boomer, a tall wild cat, is the mascot of the Pacers. Also known as “Pacers Panther,” it is one of the mascots to be selected the most times for the NBA Al-Star games.

When do doors open for Pacers games?

The doors of Gainbridge Fieldhouse open 60 minutes before the NBA game tip-off.

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