INDIANAPOLIS – Fans will find plenty to do ahead of Saturday’s Big Ten Football Championship Game.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Oregon Ducks (12-0, No. 1 CFP) will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-1, No. 3 CFP).
Big Ten Fan Fest
The primary attraction is Big Ten Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper. The event runs Friday (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
The Indiana Convention Center will host the event, which will include giveaways, food and drink, team pep rallies, team bands, mascots, cheerleaders, interactive games and much more.
Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids ages 3-12. Kids 2 and under get in free. Individuals with a military ID will get complimentary access.
Admission is already included for fans who bought tickets to Saturday’s championship game.
Those interested in going can save some time by signing the Fan Fest waiver in advance.
Tailgate Town
On Saturday, head to South Street for Tailgate Town. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Expect food and drink sales, college football on large video screens, a live band and DJ, merchandise, photo opportunities, giveaways and more.
Tailgate Town will also feature the World-Famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Championship, which will pit some of the competitive eating world’s top names against each other as they down the famously spicy dish.
Here’s the schedule:
- 10 a.m. Doors open
- 11:45 a.m. Timberworks Lumberjack Show
- 12:30 p.m. Alaina Renae performs
- 2:30 p.m. Oregon band performs
- 3:15 p.m. Penn State band performs
- 3:30 p.m. St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Eating Contest
- 4:30 p.m. Timberworks Lumberjack Show
- 5:00 p.m. Karma performs
- 6:45 p.m. DJ Lockstar performs
Big Ten Takedown
Indiana and Illinois will participate in the inaugural Big Ten Takedown, a wrestling dual pitting the Hoosiers against the Fighting Illini on Friday at 5 p.m.
The event is free at the Indiana Convention Center as part of Big Ten Fan Fest. Doors open at 4 p.m. Big Ten Network will broadcast the event.
Other events
Flag football clinics: Organizations will hold various flag football clinics for area youth; the 4 p.m. clinic will be open to the public.
The Makeover Project: The College Football Playoff Foundation, the Big Ten Conference, the Indianapolis Public School (IPS) Foundation and Indiana Sports Corp renovated the media center at Robert Lee Frost School 106.
Classroom Resource Grant Program: The College Football Playoff Foundation, the Big Ten Conference and Indiana Sports Corp will provide $40,000 in grants for classroom projects and resources for Indiana teachers and students.
Careers in Sports with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana: Indiana Sports Corp and the Big Ten Conference will host 20 Littles (grades 6 and 7) and their Bigs for the championship game. They'll get a behind-the-scenes look at different careers in sports.
RV Nation: Open Friday through Sunday, visitors can stay Friday and Saturday nights for “the best tailgate experience” for the game; it costs $364 at 345 W. McCarty St.