Bankers Life Fieldhouse: Gold Swagger & Crossroads Classics
In a state where high school and college hoops reigns supreme, this NBA arena deserves some love.
I can still picture the atmosphere. “Beat The Heat! Beat The Heat! Beat The Heat!” Bankers Life Fieldhouse was rocking on this Sunday afternoon as the hometown Indiana Pacers were set to take on the Miami Heat in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The arena was painted gold.
That picture I took is an inaccurate representation of the crowd during the game (and an awful picture). This place was LOUD up until LeBron and Dwyane Wade completely dominated the second half and effectively destroyed the hopes of every Pacers fan in attendance.
The only two other times that I have been to BLF have been for IU games vs. Butler (Crossroads Classic 2012) and vs. Louisville (New Year’s Eve 2016). Both times the arena was packed and the atmosphere was fun.
But this is still primarily an NBA arena, and most fans in the Hoosier State will never have the same love for the professional game that they have for high school and college basketball.
Aura/Mystique/Feel: As I said before, every time that I have visited BLF the atmosphere has been great. But again, I went to a playoff game where the home team hosted the most vilified team of the past decade, an intrastate rivalry game, and an interstate rivalry game featuring two of the most passionate fan bases in the country. My discussions with Pacers fans give me the impression that the atmosphere for a typical mid-season Pacers game is nothing special. Half credit here (but if you plan to visit for a college tournament game/Pacers playoff game you may see a lively building).
Food/Concessions: Let me start by saying everything that I have eaten here has been good. From what I can tell the food and beverage offerings are varied enough to keep everyone happy. During the Louisville-IU game though, the lines were backed up like almost nothing I’ve ever seen. Granted it was halftime, but my friend and I only moved about three feet during the break. By the time the second half started, there were still about fifteen people in front of us in line. I’m not sure if this was an aberration or if they were short-staffed (the stadium entrance process was also incredibly slow that day), but I know the fans were all growing restless. Half credit here, since the food quality is good and they serve craft beers.
Imagery: I give BLF full credit in this category. I love the look from the outside and I love the look inside the arena. Also, great #views of the court from every seat.
Neutral Fan Test: You can probably talk a college basketball fan into going to an event like the Crossroads Classic even if his/her team isn’t participating. You can probably talk a basketball fan within driving distance of Indy into buying a ticket for a Pacers game even if he/she isn’t a Pacers fan. I’m not sure you could create a great argument to convince a non-basketball fan to attend a game. I also think that it may be tough to sell a West Coast basketball fan on why “you have to take a trip to Bankers Life Fieldhouse at some point.” Half credit here.
Ancillary: Indianapolis is a walkable city and BLF is close to plenty of good restaurants and bars; tickets are affordable; the view of the court is great regardless of where your seat is; the fans and staff are friendly.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse is an awesome place on its best days. All things considered it’s pretty good every other day too. I’d recommend a visit for a college basketball game or a Pacers playoff game if your main focus is a great atmosphere. If you want cheaper seats and/or you want to get your food and drink as quickly as possible, maybe choose a regular season game.
I give it 3.5/5 Chicago Dogs (but if the Hoosiers are playing, I reserve the right to bump it up to 4!)
