There’s never been a bigger day of live IU sports in Indianapolis than Saturday.
No. 19/22 IU men’s basketball (7-1) takes on No. 6 Louisville (7-1) downtown inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 2:15 p.m. ET.
About four hours after that ends, and a half mile away, No. 2 Indiana (12-0) takes on No. 1 Ohio State (12-0) in the Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fans in the area can also find a sports bar for a Noon ET tune-up when IU women’s basketball kicks off Big Ten play at Illinois. That game is on the Big Ten Network.
Here’s a quick guide to some the fan-centric events and activities ahead of and during these games:
BLOOMINGTON SEND-OFF
Fans can gather outside the south side of Memorial Stadium in Bloomington for a Friday, 5:30 p.m. ET sendoff as the IU football team departs for Indianapolis. The procession will be led by an Indy car.
MEET THE MASCOT FRIDAY ON INDIANAPOLIS’ NORTHEAST SIDE
Stop by Dick’s Sporting Goods at Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 for the Hoosier Fan Experience. Purchase IU gear for the game, take your picture in interactive photo booths, play games, create a personalized trading card, win prizes and even meet IU’s mascot. Hoosier the Bison will be at the event from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FAN FEST
Participate in interactive games, entertainment and giveaways at Big Ten Fan Fest. Taking place at the Indiana Convention Center from 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, admission is free for those attending the Big Ten Football Championship game. Tickets are available for purchase online for fans not attending the game.
The IU Marching Hundred and cheerleaders will perform at 5:15 p.m. Saturday.
According to the website, “more than 200,000 square feet in the Indiana Convention Center will be dedicated to interactive games, entertainment, mascots, spirit squads, Big Ten merchandise, giveaways, Complimentary youth flag football clinics hosted by USA Football – sign up onsite, food and beverages, and much more.”
IU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EVENTS
IU Alumni Association (IUAA) will be at three downtown locations Saturday.
They’ll be at Social Cantina hosting giveaways and distributing swag. The Social Cantina event runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. It is downtown at 148 S. Illinois Street.
IUAA will be handing out rally towels at The Tap. Members of the “Crimson Squad,” the all-female cheerleading team for IU Athletics, will be onsite at The Tap from 3-4 p.m. to help pass out rally towels. The Tap event is from 3-8 p.m. It is downtown at 306 N. Delaware Street.
They’ll also be at Kilroy’s: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 201 S. Meridian Street.
GRAB A RALLY TOWEL
Swirling towels have become an identifying feature of the IU fan base during games. Fans going to the football game Saturday can pick up a free rally towel outside Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St., from 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6 while supplies last. Fans must show their game ticket to receive a towel.
At Lucas Oil Stadium, 8,000 rally towels will be distributed to the official IU fan section seats in advance of Saturday’s game. These towels will be placed on each individual seat in Sections 101-111, 207-211, 307-310, 407-410.
BIG RED WARMUP
The IU Alumni Association event inside the Indianapolis Convention Center is sold out.
GAME TICKETS
Tickets for the football game are sold out, and the only tickets remaining for the basketball game are north of $700 at Ticketmaster.
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