End of Big Ten Championship Costs Indy Businesses $25 Million a Year

The Big Ten football championship game will leave downtown Indianapolis for good after the 2026 season.

The league confirmed its final title contest will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 5. This event has been held annually in the city since 2011. The Big Ten made the decision to drop the game after the College Football Playoff announced an expansion to 24 teams starting with the 2027-28 season.

Indiana Sports Corp, the agency that co-hosts the event, estimates the game generates approximately $25 million in annual economic activity. Patrick Talty, president of the organization, acknowledged the loss but cited a pipeline of upcoming events to fill the calendar gap. These include Monster Jam shows in February and July and the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in March.

Talty stated that the organization supports the change, noting that while the game was a major calendar item, its departure creates room for new opportunities. "Obviously it’s a loss; it’s a hole. But it gives us the opportunity to look and see what else is out there," he said.

Local business operators described the announcement as a major setback. Tony Cusic, a bartender with more than 10 years of experience at Tupelo Honey, a bar located blocks from the stadium, said the loss will impact revenue. He noted that staff and management plan their schedules and promotions around the event. "I don’t think anybody is excited about it," Cusic said. "This was something we look forward to yearly."

Cusic added that the game was a staple for the city and irreplaceable, predicting that local businesses will lose thousands of dollars without the influx of fans. Visitors to the city also expressed disappointment. Jared Prim, visiting from Chicago, said the game meant a lot to Indianapolis and that the city did not deserve to lose it.

The Big Ten Conference issued a statement saying it is finalizing plans for determining its football champion in future seasons. Indiana Sports Corp said it is working to make the final game on Dec. 5 a memorable event for the city.