Gainbridge Fieldhouse Info
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Capacity: Approx. 18,345
- Year Opened: 1999
- Previous Names: Conseco Fieldhouse, Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- Occupants: Indiana Pacers
- Parking: Parking is available for purchase
Basketball is a way of life for those who live in Indiana, so for the state's professional NBA franchise, their home court would have to be particularly special. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse ranks among the most impressive arenas in the NBA and lives up to the rich heritage of Indiana basketball. The venue lies between Delaware and Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis and it is surrounded by a large group of restaurants, bars and shops that give attendees plenty of things to do before tip-off.
Built in 1999 as Conseco Fieldhouse, the venue retained that name until 2011. With a capacity of more than 18,000 seats, the Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a bit more cozy than some of the more cavernous arenas around the NBA, and the lower bowl is broken into an octagon shape to give fans a dynamic view of the court. The Fieldhouse is extremely unique as it blends the nostalgic elements of Indiana's old high school and college fieldhouses with the state-of-the-art amenities that fans have come to expect.
The Indiana Pacers don't have any NBA title banners hanging from the rafters, but they have done plenty to leave their mark on the league. All-Star Reggie Miller played his entire career in a Pacers uniform, and led the team to a handful of playoff appearances over his tenure. The Pacers reached their peak in 2000 when they surprised the league by cruising all the way to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the Pacers were on the wrong side of history and were knocked out by the juggernaut Los Angeles Lakers, but the team has plenty of confidence that their strong front office and committed fan base will have the strength to get them back.
The Gainbridge Fieldhouse is the more intimate concert venue in the city of Indianapolis and will take the smaller shows that are too small for the football stadium. Indianapolis residents are privileged to have such an impressive stadium that says so much about the storied history of Indiana basketball with all of the modern improvements that fans and concert-goers will rave about long after.