Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center

What Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center does

The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is a state-owned multi-venue event complex operated by the Indiana State Fair Commission, located on 250 acres at 1202 E. 38th St. in Indianapolis with more than 1,000,000 square feet of event space across 20 venues. Founded in 1892, the facility has hosted over 115 Indiana State Fairs and transitioned into a year-round event center in 1990. The portfolio includes Corteva Coliseum (a 6,000+ seat multi-purpose arena opened 1939 and renovated for $53 million in 2012), the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion (117,500 sq. ft., opened July 2023), nine major exhibition pavilions ranging from 29,000 to 147,000 sq. ft., and specialty spaces such as the Covered Bridge (1,750 sq. ft.), Normandy Barn, Hoosier Lottery Grandstand (13,921 capacity), and DNR Amphitheater. The facility is supported by significant recent capital investment, with $116 million deployed across the Coliseum renovation, Weaver Popcorn Youth Pavilion, and Fall Creek Pavilion.

Name

Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center

Legal name

Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center

Website

https://indianastatefair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is a state-owned, year-round multi-venue event complex in Indianapolis spanning 250 acres and 20 venues with 1M+ sq ft of event space, hosting 400+ events annually for corporate, sports, entertainment, wedding, and education customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue and Convention Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Racetracks (711212), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Venue-Owned/Operated Event Organizers (In-House Promoters) (MPAKADAI), Arenas & Indoor Sports Centers (MPAKAEAB), Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations (MPAGALAH), Concession & Stadium / Arena Catering (THAFAIAG)

Keywords

• Event venue rentals
• Convention facilities
• Arena event hosting
• Wedding venues
• Exhibition hall rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Facility Rental and Event Hosting: Revenue generated from renting venues to event organizers for conventions, consumer shows, conferences, sports, concerts, fairs, exhibitions, meetings, weddings, banquets and retreats. Pricing ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 for wedding packages.
2. Ticketed Events: Revenue from ticketed events held at Corteva Coliseum and other venues, sold primarily through Ticketmaster.
3. Concessions and Food Service: Exclusive food and beverage sales through contracted vendors Urick Concessions and R.E. Smith Food and Drink. Pepsi is the official soft drink sponsor with exclusive product rights.
4. Camping Services: Year-round RV and camping site reservations with full hook-up sites available April through October and electric-only during winter months.
5. Sponsorships and Naming Rights: Corporate sponsorships including Corteva naming rights for Coliseum, Ball State University Champions Pavilion, Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, Hoosier Lottery Grandstand and Stage, and PNC Lounge.
6. Education Programs: Field trip programs for K-12 students covering agriculture, biotechnology, and food science topics. Student fees of $7 per participant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center rents 20 venues totaling more than 1,000,000 square feet on 250 acres in Indianapolis to event organizers, corporations, sports leagues, promoters, and individual consumers for conventions, consumer and trade shows, conferences, sports competitions, concerts, weddings, banquets, and the annual Indiana State Fair. It also operates ticketed events, public ice skating, RV camping, on-site concessions and catering, K-12 educational field trip programs, and hosts the annual World Food Championships culinary competition. Revenue is generated through facility rentals, ticket sales, concessions, camping fees, and corporate sponsorships and naming rights.

Product overview

Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is a multi-venue event complex offering 1,000,000+ sq. ft. of event space across 20 venues on 250 acres. The portfolio includes Corteva Coliseum (a 6,000+ seat multi-purpose arena), nine major pavilions (West, South, Blue Ribbon, Champions, Exposition, Weaver Popcorn Youth, Harvest, Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek, and Agriculture Horticulture), specialty venues (Grand Hall, Discovery Hall, Covered Bridge, Normandy Barn, DNR Amphitheater, Hoosier Lottery Grandstand and Stage, Purdue Extension Building), plus services including wedding packages, catering, public ice skating, and educational field trip programs. The facility hosts the annual Indiana State Fair and World Food Championships, over 400 events annually, NCAA track & field championships, and serves as a year-round convention and entertainment destination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Protect the Heartland: The Indiana State Fair Commission's sustainability program commitment to help create a more sustainable event and a more sustainable world through water conservation, waste reduction, and energy reduction initiatives.

Products and services

• Corteva Coliseum A multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena hosting over 150 events and 1 million+ guests annually, used for professional sports, live music, family shows, auto auctions, graduations, and special events. Home to the Indy Fuel ECHL hockey team.
• West Pavilion The largest event venue at 147,000 sq. ft., serving as the focal point for prestigious consumer and trade shows in Indianapolis, ideal for agriculture, consumer, exhibit, sport, and trade shows.
• Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion The newest facility at the fairgrounds with a 117,500 sq. ft. show floor, 212 ft. clear-span space, 28 ft. ceiling height, and 700 permanent bleacher seats, used for livestock shows, consumer shows, sporting events including NCAA track championships, and trade events.
• South Pavilion A 104,000 sq. ft. venue consisting of three halls that can be utilized individually or as contiguous event space, suitable for agriculture, consumer, exhibit, and trade shows.
• Exposition Hall A 74,000 sq. ft. venue for consumer, exhibit, and trade shows, also suitable for large banquets and seminars.
• Blue Ribbon Pavilion A 69,000 sq. ft. venue for consumer, exhibit, sport, and trade shows that can adapt for large banquets, seminars, and spectator events.
• Champions Pavilion A 66,500 sq. ft. venue for consumer, exhibit, trade, and agriculture shows, adaptable for banquets and seminars.
• Agriculture Horticulture Building A 43,000 sq. ft. venue for consumer and trade shows that can adapt for banquets and seminars.
• Weaver Popcorn Youth Pavilion A 29,000 sq. ft. venue featuring the Cheri Daniels Arena, used for public ice skating, livestock events, and banquet events.
• Hoosier Lottery Grandstand A covered seating pavilion with 13,921 capacity located on the one-mile Track of Champions, designed for motor sports and spectator events.
• Wedding Packages Wedding and reception hosting services ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 including tables, chairs, linens, AV, and parking across multiple venue options; sold to individuals and families planning weddings.
• Catering and Concessions Exclusive licensed food and beverage service provided by Urick Concessions and R.E. Smith Food and Drink for events at all fairgrounds venues, with Pepsi as official soft drink sponsor.
• Public Ice Skating Public ice skating at Weaver Popcorn Youth Pavilion; skate fee $10 per person, skate rental $3, spectators free; managed by TPH Academy.
• Education Programs Field trip programs covering agriculture, biotechnology, and food science for K-12 students including Farm to Pizza, Plants Animals and Me, Exploring Biotech, The Journey of Corn, and virtual programs; $7 per student, teachers free.
• Facility Rental Year-round event hosting services for conventions, consumer shows, conferences, sports, concerts, fairs, exhibitions, meetings, weddings, banquets, and retreats across the 20-venue campus.
• Indiana State Fair The annual Indiana State Fair held in August attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors over 17 days with entertainment, food, livestock competitions, midway rides, and agricultural exhibits.
• World Food Championships Annual global culinary competition held in October featuring over 300 chef teams from 35+ U.S. states and 14 countries competing for the World Food Champion title and the largest prize pool in Food Sport; voted Top Ten Best City Food Festival by USA Today.
• Indoor Track and Field Events NCAA-level indoor track and field events hosted in the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, including Big Ten Conference and NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships.
• Camping Year-round campground with full hook-up RV sites available April through October and electric-only sites during winter months November through March; reservations via phone and email.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hosting 400+ events and 1 million+ guests annually at Corteva Coliseum alone

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• TPH Academy (Total Package Hockey)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024TPH became the new management company for ice rinks in the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion and Corteva Coliseum starting September. Partnership marks return of public ice skating to Corteva Coliseum after 10-year hiatus.
• Indiana Farm BureauflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Indiana Farm Bureau holds naming rights for the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, the newest and most flexible facility at the fairgrounds opened in July 2023.
• Corteva AgriScienceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorteva holds naming rights for Corteva Coliseum, the premier multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena at the fairgrounds. The partnership was established as part of the venue's modernization efforts.
• Hoosier LotterycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoosier Lottery sponsors the Grandstand and Stage venues, supporting fair entertainment and events.
• PepsicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepsi Cola Corporation is the official soft drink sponsor of the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. Only Pepsi products are served at the venue.
• Urick ConcessionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExclusive licensed food service company handling all catering and concessions at the fairgrounds. Contact: [email protected] or (317) 927-1444.
• R.E. Smith Food and DrinkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYear-round concession provider at fairgrounds venues.
• Purdue ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurdue University Extension Building at the fairgrounds hosts educational events and programs. Partnership includes venue sharing and agricultural education collaboration.
• Ball State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBall State University Champions Pavilion is connected to the fairgrounds venue network.
• MOKB PresentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMOKB Presents programs and books the Hoosier Lottery Stage during non-State Fair dates. Contact: Dan Kemer 317.448.8828 or Jason King 317.362.4471.
• Indiana Soybean AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors virtual education programs including 'Bean There Made That' and 'It's All About the Genes' at the Glass Barn educational facility.
• Indiana PorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in educational programming and agriculture showcase at the fairgrounds.
• Indiana CorncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in agricultural education and fair programming.
• LEAP FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the 'There's a Pig in My Classroom' virtual education program for grades 3-6.
• PNCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPNC Lounge is a 2,000 sq ft elevated event space at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion that overlooks the show floor.
• Downtown IndyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for Indianapolis regional tourism and event promotion.
• GleanersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for food security and hunger relief initiatives.
• Indy ChamberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting Indianapolis business community.
• Visit IndycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Visit Indy for hotel reservations through preferred hotel program for fairgrounds visitors.
• Indiana State Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector Don Lamb represents Indiana State Department of Agriculture on the Indiana State Fair Board.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• State Fair of Texas (Fair Park): State-operated fairgrounds in Dallas, Texas hosting an annual State Fair plus year-round events on a similarly large urban campus. Directly comparable in business model (state-owned, multi-venue, fair + events center).
• Ohio Expo Center & State Fair: Columbus-based state fair and expo complex operated by the Ohio Expositions Commission. Comparable as a state-owned multi-venue event campus hosting both an annual State Fair and year-round consumer shows, sports, and conferences.
• Kentucky Exposition Center: Louisville-based state fair and expo venue operated by the Kentucky State Fair Board. Closest functional peer in terms of state-owned large-format pavilions, arena, and State Fair programming.
• Wisconsin State Fair Park: Milwaukee-area state fairgrounds operated by a state-created authority, running an 11-day annual State Fair and year-round events including sports and consumer shows. Same ownership structure and event mix.
• Minnesota State Fair: 12-day State Fair held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Direct peer for the annual fair event draw and on-campus venue/arena operations.
• National Western Center (Colorado): Denver-area state-authority event complex with livestock and exposition facilities and a global agricultural exhibition. Comparable as a state-owned campus with both agricultural heritage and modern expo event business.

Broad incumbents

• Georgia World Congress Center Authority: State-authority operator of a large downtown Atlanta convention center, arena (State Farm Arena), and stadium (Mercedes-Benz) complex. Comparable as a larger state-authority multi-venue event operator with broader scope.

Regional players

• Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium: Downtown Indianapolis convention and stadium complex managed for the capital city. The most direct geographic competitor for conventions, trade shows, and large-scale sporting and entertainment bookings.

Others

• ASM Global: Third-party venue management firm that operates convention centers, arenas, and fairgrounds for public- and private-sector owners. Relevant ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor — illustrates the management-services model around public venues like this one.
• Levy / OVG Hospitality: Major hospitality and concessions operator serving arenas, stadiums, and convention centers. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct venue competitor; relevant for understanding the outsourced F&B model Indiana State Fairgrounds uses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IndyStateFair
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/INstatefair
• Facebookfacebook.com/IndianaStateFair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indiana-state-fairgrounds-&-event-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/indystatefair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center