Upgrades coming to two Indy sports venues next year

INDIANAPOLIS — Two Indianapolis sports venues are set to get millions of dollars in upgrades next year.

The improvements will come from the Capital Improvement Board’s (CIB) approved budget, which designates $35.2 million for planned improvements. 

Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians, is going in on a $4 million project with the CIB to replace its seats, which are original to the decades-old venue.

“2026 marks Victory Field’s 30th anniversary,” Indianapolis Indians Communication Director Anna Kayser said. “Looking at this ballpark, I don’t know if you can believe it or not, but with an aging ballpark comes some little tweaks that need to be made here and there.” 

The CIB, which owns and operates iconic venues including Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Victory Field, is extending upgrades to Lucas Oil Stadium as well. Colts fans will get better Wi-Fi next year thanks to a $7.5 million upgrade. 

“It’s awesome that we have a benefactor in the CIB to really back that sports market and make sure that fans, whether they’re coming out to an Indians game or a Colts game, are having the best experience possible,” Kayser said. 

Kayser says the financial support is another step in the right direction toward the city’s future as a sports town.

“Over the last couple years, we’ve seen how rich the sports market is with the success of the Pacers and the Fever, the Indians are making a playoff push right now,” Kayser said. “We’re just really thankful and fortunate we have our partner in the CIB to make sure we’re maintaining Victory Field over its 30-year tenure.”

While the Victory Field upgrades are set for fall or winter of next year, fans may not even notice a difference. Kayser says the new seats will remain the venue’s signature green. Nameplates on the original seating will be removed and reattached to the new seating.