Lucas Oil Stadium Named Nation's Best Sports Venue

Last updated on Saturday, February 16, 2013

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Hoosiers who want to spend time at what one magazine considers the best sports venue in the world don’t have to go far.

David Barras of WISH TV8 reports that you just need to head down to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Paul Swaney, President of Stadium Journey the Magazine calls a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium perhaps the best "sports experience" in the world.

For the second year in a row Stadium Journey has named Lucas Oil Stadium number one.

Lucas Oil Stadium was named the best out of more than 1,000 reviewed.

"So we have about 90 writers located in 15 countries around the world. For 2012, we visited 1,225 stadiums," says Swaney.

Swaney says, give credit to stadium workers.

"And I'm always amazed at how many stadiums take this for granted. Training staff, having staff be friendly and knowledgeable. And you find that here. That's a big starting point," says Swaney.

Then, he says, it's the fans that go to the games.

"I've found that Colts fans are friendly to visit fans, but still they don't comprise the passion for their team. And that's fantastic," he says.

"To us it really is a big deal," says Larry Hall, Vice President of Ticket Operations for the Indianapolis Colts.

Hall says a good team is an important attraction, but not the whole experience.

"As Coach Pagano professes, it's all about team, team, team. That's primary. But over and above that it's really about the fans that come to support them," he says.

Creating a top notch fan experience sells tickets. Lucas Oil's score five out of five in all but one category. Concession stand food got a four out of five.

The quality is good but selection, Swaney says, could be better.

"I would like to see more local sort of inspired options and a signature dish here on the concession menu," says Swaney.

Swaney says that's really just nit picking.

Lucas Oil Stadium beat out Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox for top honors. The rankings have nothing to do with a team's win-loss record.

Swaney reviewed Lucas Oil Stadium for the Jacksonville game. The only home game the Colts lost this past season.

For the full list of rankings visit the Stadium Journey the Magazine's website.