INDIANAPOLIS – The Horizon League and the Indiana State Fair Commission announced on Tuesday an extension of their partnership that will maintain Indianapolis and the Indiana Farmers Coliseum as the home of the Horizon League Basketball Championships. The partnership has been extended until 2026.
“It’s an exciting day for the Horizon League as we expand our partnership with the Indiana State Fair Commission to host our premier championships in Indianapolis,” said Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach. “I would like to thank Cindy Hoye and the ISFC for their continued support of our event. Our two goals for the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships have been to provide an exceptional student-athlete experience and to create a long-term community event. which adds value to the city of Indianapolis by showcasing exceptional Division I basketball and hosting amplified events like School Day and the International Women’s Day celebration. With the help of ISFC and our Local Organizing Committee, led by Past President Dennis Dye and current President Luke Bosso, we continue to grow in each of these areas and we will continue to move forward to make this an exceptional experience for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”
“We are proud to host the Horizon League Championships at our beloved Indiana Farmers Coliseum and grateful to expand our partnership in the future,” said Cindy Hoye, executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission. “This treasured venue has hosted more than a century of iconic events for our community and our state, and we’re excited to continue building those traditions with the Horizon League team.”
Indianapolis has hosted the semifinals and championship games of the men’s and women’s tournaments since 2020. Home to the offices of the Horizon League, Indianapolis has been a hub for some of the biggest sporting events in the country. It hosted the entire 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, with first and second round games hosted at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, and has already been selected to host its ninth Men’s Final Four in 2026. with the HL designated to co-organize with the IUPUI. Circle City has also hosted three NCAA Women’s Final Fours, the most recent being in 2016.
The Horizon League Basketball Championships have already had an impact on the community since the start of their last round of hosting from 2020. More than 18,000 fans attended semi-final and championship games when fan participation was allowed, including more than 4,000 school-aged children during the year School Day event which takes place during the Women’s Championship game.
The Horizon League also held additional events to help support the city of Indianapolis. The 2022 championships hosted the first International Women’s Day celebration that brought together women leaders and community allies. Each year, HL also hosted a free interactive fan zone just steps from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum with entertainment, activities and photo ops.
Indiana Farmers Coliseum, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, is a 6,800-seat arena that hosts more than 150 events and more than one million guests annually. The average commute for Horizon League fans is four hours, while nine of the 11 schools are within five hours of Indianapolis.
The 2023 Horizon League Basketball Championship will kick off on February 28 and March 1 with first-round games on campus and conclude with semifinals and championship games on March 6 and 7.
The announcement was made by Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb at an event at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum that also featured Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas.
For more information on the 2023 Horizon League Basketball Championships, visit HorizonLeague.com/Indy.
ABOUT HORIZON LEAGUE
The Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletics conference comprised of 11 member institutions located in major metropolitan cities throughout the Midwest. Based in Indianapolis, the League and its members strive to be highly competitive athletically while committed to the total development of its student-athletes and creating lasting impact on campus and in the community. For more information, visit HorizonLeague.com.
ABOUT INDIANA STATE FAIRS AND EVENTS CENTER
The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is a modern public event facility that hosts more than 400 meetings, shows, sporting and agricultural events each year, including the Indiana State Fair. Year-round management of the fairgrounds is overseen by the Indiana State Fair Commission, a quasi-governmental agency established in 1992 with a mission to preserve and improve the Indiana State Fairgrounds. ‘Indiana and the annual Indiana State Fair for the benefit of all citizens of Indiana.
Located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the Indiana Farmers Coliseum is a one-of-a-kind multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility and hosts more than 150 sports and entertainment events each year. With its history intact, the Indiana Farmers Coliseum underwent a $53 million renovation in 2012, modernizing the iconic Indianapolis venue and ushering in a new era of sports and entertainment. The Indiana Farmers Coliseum is home to the ECHL’s Indy Fuel and the NCAA’s IUPUI Jaguars. The Indiana Farmers Coliseum hosts over 150 events and over one million guests each year with events ranging from professional sports, live music, auto auctions and special events. Additional information is available at www.indianastatefair.com.
