INDIANAPOLIS -- The Big Ten Football Championship Game set to take place December 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium will feature West Division champion Northwestern versus East Division champion Ohio State. Indiana Sports Corp and its partners have collaborated to organize a variety of fan and community events surrounding the Big Ten Football Championship Game Weekend that can be enjoyed whether or not an individual has purchased a game ticket. All programs are set to take place on Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1 prior to the Championship Game Saturday evening.
For the eighth-straight year, the Big Ten Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper will take place in the Indiana Convention Center on Friday from 3-9 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday. More than 200,000 square feet in the ICC will be dedicated to interactive games, entertainment - including special guest appearances and mascots - performances by participating team bands, giveaways, food and beverages, and much more. Each Football Championship Game ticket will allow complimentary access for the holder to the Fan Fest. Prices for adults are $8 and youth (ages 3-12) are $4. Children ages 2 and under are free while individuals with a Military ID will gain complimentary access.
Several youth programs will be offered inside Fan Fest including the Youth Football Officials Clinic and USA Football FUNdamental Youth Clinics. The Youth Football Officials Clinic takes place Friday from 5-9 p.m. The clinic attracts potential officials ages 14 and up from the greater Indianapolis area with the program aimed to combat the statewide shortage of high school and middle school football officials. Those that attend will take part in a certification course, including both classroom and on-field training, and be able to officiate middle school football. Registration is required and can be done at www.IndianaSportsCorp.org/events/btfcg-youth-programs. The USA Football FUNdamental Youth Clinics will take place on Dr Pepper Field inside Fan Fest at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. No pre-registration is required, and participants will receive a t-shirt.
New in 2018, the T-Mobile BTN Kickoff Concert headlined by OneRepublic will debut Friday evening. The free concert in downtown Indianapolis begins at 9 p.m. and will be held at The Pavilion at Pan Am. In addition, for concertgoers, fans and those waiting in line, Georgia Street will be activated outside of The Pavilion at Pan Am beginning at 6 p.m. with a party open to the public, featuring a live band, DJ, interactive games along with food and beverage options. Once OneRepublic takes the stage, two big screens will broadcast their live performance to the crowd gathered on Georgia Street. The concert is open to fans ages 18 and older who must register at BTN.com/KickoffConcert in order to be part of this exciting event, no game ticket required.
For the third-straight year, Indiana Sports Corp is leveraging the generosity of fans, alumni, visitors and residents of the Indianapolis area to get involved by volunteering their time for the Inspired by the Holidays Equipment Drive and Day of Service. The Inspired by the Holidays Equipment Drive is an Indiana Sports Corp initiative through its Inspiring Sports program. Participants will gift wrap new sporting equipment on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon on the first floor of the Pan Am Building off Georgia Street. All wrapped items will be donated to Raymond Park Middle School in time for the holidays. In addition to wrapping the equipment, some items will be allocated to assemble the Jefferson Foundation award winning Buckets of Love for the Dayspring Center. For individuals wanting to donate equipment and/or money to purchase equipment for this very special day of service please contact Indiana Sports Corp at 317-237-5000 or donate at www.IndianaSportsCorp.org/Holidays.
The Meijer Tail Greater Party on Georgia Street is back with free admission to the public from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. The Meijer Tail Greater Party includes the World Famous St. Elmo’s Shrimp Cocktail Eating Contest featuring five-time champion Joey Chestnut at 3 p.m., food and beverage sales, college football action on the video screens, live bands and DJs, merchandise sales, sponsor giveaways, a photo opportunity with 3-D B1G letters and much more to offer the ultimate tailgating experience. Local bands will take the stage throughout the day including the Chamber Music Band and Karma Band in addition to DJ Yoshi and DJ Indiana Jones.
The 2018 Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium will air live on FOX on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8:17 p.m. For a complete list of Big Ten Football Championship Game ancillary events and ticket information visit www.IndianaSportsCorp.org. Suites are still available in limited capacity.
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Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.