Indianapolis A Finalist To Host Super Bowl LII

Indianapolis is in the running to host another Super Bowl.

The Circle City is a finalist to host the 2018 game, along with Minneapolis and New Orleans.

"We are extremely excited to move forward in the 2018 Super Bowl process. The 2012 Super Bowl had a tremendously positive impact on Indiana and our community is ready to produce a compelling bid for 2018," said Allison Melangton, Indiana Sports Corp president, and chair of the 2018 Indianapolis Super Bowl Bid Committee.  "Our competition is stiff, but we look forward to showcasing the strengths of our community and earning the right to host Super Bowl LII.”

Indianapolis received high marks when it hosted Super Bowl XLVI, in February 2012.

Bid Committee Vice Chair Cathy Langham says that is a strong selling point for hosting Super Bowl LII.

"We had a lot of history, a lot of great success from the 2012 Super Bowl," she said.  "That, along with using the platform of the Super Bowl to further things like the Legacy Project on East 10th Street and Super Cure and tons of opportunities for women and minority owned companies, I think the NFL is delighted with what Indianapolis did and I think that helped us."

Six cities submitted applications to host the game.

 Langham says the Circle City offers something unique compared to Minneapolis and New Orleans.

"In Indianapolis we put on great events.  We are centrally located.  We've got a great downtown area where all the activities can happen," she said.

President of Indianapolis-based U/S Sports Advisors, Ken Ungar, says it’s not just the success of Super Bowl XLVI that gives Indy a chance, but the city’s long history of hosting large sporting events.

"Really going back to the 1980s, (Indianapolis) has demonstrated that we can promote events on the highest level," he said.  "The 2012 Super Bowl was one of the most successful ever and I think that really puts Indianapolis in good standing."

Indiana Sports Corp reports hosting Super Bowl XLVI resulted in more than $170 million of economic impact.  It has not, yet, studied the impact of hosting Super Bowl LII.

"I have no doubt our team will put forth an exciting plan to host another Super Bowl that will make the NFL, its owners, and football fans around the world very proud," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.

Lagham says the bid commitee is raising $30 million from the corporate community to make its final pitch.  A written bid is due in April and then an oral presentation will be delivered during the NFL owners meeting in May, when the winning city will be chosen.