𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜: Indiana Pacers Unveil $1.3 Billion Gainbridge Fieldhouse Overhaul, Revolutionizing Arena Experience and College Hoops Landscape
In a monumental announcement that signals a new chapter for both professional and collegiate basketball in Indiana, the Indiana Pacers have revealed a transformative $1.3 billion renovation and expansion of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Dubbed “Project Legacy,” the sweeping makeover aims to elevate the 26-year-old downtown Indianapolis arena into one of the most advanced and immersive basketball venues in the world—blending NBA excellence with a bold new vision for college basketball infrastructure.
The upgrade, jointly funded by Pacers Sports & Entertainment, private investors, and state-backed economic development grants, will unfold in three strategic phases over four years and is set to be completed by late 2029. With groundbreaking set to begin in September 2025, just weeks after the Pacers’ historic first NBA championship, team owner Herb Simon called the project “a gift to the future of Indiana basketball.”
“This city lives and breathes the game,” Simon said at the press conference held inside a packed Gainbridge atrium. “This is more than bricks and seats. It’s about honoring tradition while building a home that’s ready for the next 50 years of basketball history.”
Key features of the renovation include:
A state-of-the-art retractable glass roof, allowing for open-air basketball games and events during warmer months.
An expanded 360-degree LED display system dubbed the “Hoop Halo,” capable of immersive replays, in-game data overlays, and interactive fan experiences.
The construction of the Indiana Basketball Pavilion—a 6,000-seat secondary court within the Fieldhouse footprint, specifically designed to host major NCAA tournaments, women’s and men’s basketball showcases, and elite high school events.
A “Legacy Walk” museum wing, honoring Indiana’s storied basketball roots—from Oscar Robertson and Larry Bird to Reggie Miller and Tamika Catchings.
Enhanced sustainability measures, including solar-paneled roofs, water recycling systems, and net-zero carbon operations by 2030.
While the Pacers are the flagship tenant, Project Legacy positions Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the premier hub for college basketball in the Midwest. The arena will host the Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments every other year starting in 2030 and is expected to become a regular site for NCAA Tournament regionals. The NCAA has already confirmed that Indianapolis, with the revamped Fieldhouse, will host the 2033 Final Four.
“From the Hoosiers to the Hysteria, Indiana has always been the heartbeat of college basketball,” said NCAA President Tamika Catchings, herself a former Indiana Fever legend. “This venue is a testament to that passion—and a bold blueprint for what college basketball arenas can aspire to be.”
Beyond basketball, the upgraded complex will include a new concert hall, expanded retail and dining spaces, and an on-site broadcast studio for ESPN and TNT, which will use Gainbridge as a hub for national NBA coverage.
The announcement has already sent ripples through the sports and entertainment industry. Analysts predict a significant economic impact, with an estimated $6.8 billion in projected revenue for downtown Indianapolis over the next decade from tourism, jobs, and event bookings.
Fans, too, are buzzing. Renderings of the futuristic design flooded social media, showing a reimagined skyline punctuated by the shimmering glass dome and soaring steel beams of the new Fieldhouse. For longtime season ticket holder and Indiana native Rachel Harmon, it’s personal.
“This building’s been home since Reggie. Now my son is watching Haliburton here. And with this? It’s like we get to pass the torch—and keep the fire burning.”
With a championship banner newly hung and construction cranes soon to rise, Indiana basketball has never looked so proud—or so ready for the future.
