Published: January 30, 2012

HKS-Designed Lucas Oil Stadium Preps for Super Bowl XLVI

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INDIANAPOLIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - When Super Bowl XLVI kicks off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 5, one thing is certain. HKS repeats as designer for two consecutive Super Bowl venues, immediately following the Super Bowl debut at HKS-designed Cowboys Stadium in Dallas in 2011.

Mark A. Williams, AIA, principal for HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, said, "We are proud to have created the venues selected for the world's preeminent sporting event. While very different in their designs, Lucas Oil Stadium and last year's host, Cowboy Stadium, both provide a setting that immeasurably enhances fan enjoyment and contributes to the success of this momentous event."

The 1.8 million-square-foot sports and entertainment venue in the heart of downtown Indianapolis has normal capacity of 63,000 for Indianapolis Colts Football, but will expand to approximately 70,000 for the 2012 Super Bowl. The stadium and surrounding site will be transformed to incorporate game-day fan plazas, sponsorship zones, media broadcast areas, fan interactive zones and tailgating. The economic impact to the host city is estimated at $300 million to $400 million.

Distinctive features:

Retractable roof: The only NFL stadium roof that opens side-to-side, Lucas Oil Stadium features the largest roof panels in the NFL, weighing 5.8 million pounds.
Operable glass window wall: Sited to showcase a spectacular view of Monument Circle and downtown Indianapolis, the 110-foot-wide by 88-foot-high operable glass doors were a first in the NFL.
The dynamic configurations of the bowl also set Lucas Oil Stadium apart and make it one of the most adaptable sports stadiums in the country.

Fan amenities:

High-Definition Video play boards: The 96-foot-wide and 35-foot-tall boards and linear message boards
Four spacious 30-foot fan concourses flooded with natural light
Four large public plazas surround the stadium
Easy access and exits and restroom capacity/access
Fans have 148 concession stands and 58,801 square feet of club/restaurant
Improved seating: Wider seats (at least 20" ) and more legroom with median seat width wider than any other NFL stadium; 33" - 35" seating row tread depths
Fans have access to a large Colts Store with entrances from the main concourse and from the street.

About HKS

HKS, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, is among the top five architectural firms in the U.S., operating from 29 offices worldwide. www.hksinc.com