INDIANAPOLIS – The city of Indianapolis is set to play a significant role in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympics, as it will host the USA Track & Field national indoor championships for the next two years. Scheduled to take place at the Fall Creek Pavilion on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the championships are set for February 19-21, 2027, and February 18-20, 2028.
This marks a historic moment for Indianapolis, as the city has never before hosted the indoor nationals, which have been held annually since 1906. The 2027 event will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the inaugural World Indoor Championships, which took place at the Hoosier Dome in 1987, as well as the 20th anniversary of the last national championships held in the city, which were the outdoor championships at Carroll Stadium in 2007.
Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field (USATF), expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming events, highlighting the importance of rekindling the organization’s relationship with the Indianapolis community. In an interview, Siegel stated, “This is exciting for us as an organization to re-invigorate our connection and relationship with the Indianapolis community.” This partnership with the Indiana Sports Corp. is characterized by a long-standing commitment to promoting athletic events in the area.
The Indiana Sports Corp. has identified the indoor nationals as part of its broader 2050 Vision strategy, aimed at enhancing the region's appeal for hosting significant sporting events. Dan Gliot, the director of marketing and communications for the Indiana Sports Corp., noted the growing interest in Olympic sports, stating, “Really, this kind of boom in the Olympic sports... is another building block for that.”
Indianapolis is increasingly being recognized as a gateway to the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, set to take place in July 2028. The city has already been selected to host the USA Swimming national championships at the Natatorium in June 2027, as well as the Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in June 2028. Additionally, USA Gymnastics is establishing a new training center and headquarters in Noblesville, further solidifying Indianapolis’s role in the Olympic landscape.
Among the athletes who may compete in the indoor nationals is Cole Hocker, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 meters. Hocker, who has not raced in Indianapolis since his senior year at Cathedral High School in 2019, could potentially return to his hometown for this prestigious event.
The Fall Creek Pavilion has been a hub for indoor track meets since January 2024, featuring a 200-meter banked oval constructed by Beynon Sports. The pavilion, which preserves the historic façade of the former Swine Barn, has been enhanced with a $50 million investment from Indiana lawmakers, transforming it into a multi-use facility. Spanning 196,000 square feet, it includes a 14,000-square-foot lobby and connectors to two additional 60,000-square-foot buildings.
The quality of the pavilion is underscored by the fact that four collegiate records were set there during the last two Big Ten indoor meets. These records include Amanda Moll’s pole vault of 16 feet, 1 ¼ inches and Garrett Kaalund’s 200 meters time of 20.06 seconds, among others.
LeRoy Lewis II, director of community and media engagement for the Indiana State Fair, expressed pride in bringing national attention to the facility and the state fairgrounds, stating, “We can’t wait to showcase all we have to offer.” Siegel also mentioned the potential for outdoor nationals to return to Indianapolis in the future, as the city has hosted the outdoor championships five times in the past and was the site of the 1988 Olympic Trials. Discussions are ongoing with Indiana University Indianapolis leaders about making necessary renovations to Carroll Stadium to facilitate future events.
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