sports

NFL Scouting Combine 2026

February 26 - March 4, 2026

Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium

Expected Attendance: 5,000+ media and scouts, 50,000+ fans

Official Website →

The NFL's annual talent showcase where top college football prospects are evaluated by all 32 NFL teams. Open events allow fans to watch drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Downtown buzzes with sports media and football insiders.

Insider Tips

Sports bars will be packed — St. Elmo's and Harry & Izzy's are where the scouts and agents eat
Use the skywalk from your hotel — February in Indy is cold
Fan events are open to the public at the Convention Center — check the NFL Combine website for times
Book restaurants in advance — this is one of the busiest dining weeks downtown
Parking near Lucas Oil will be event-priced — pre-book on SpotHero to save

Where to Eat & Drink

Our picks for NFL Scouting Combine 2026 attendees

Harry & Izzy's

restaurant $$$

Steakhouse / American

“St. Elmo's more casual sister restaurant — same ownership, same famous shrimp cocktail, easier to get a table”

153 S Illinois St

🚶 8 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

American / Bar Food

“Massive menu, strong drinks, open late — the go-to post-event hangout for convention crowds”

201 S Meridian St

🚶 5 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

Ruth's Chris Steak House

restaurant $$$$

Steakhouse

“Sizzling butter steaks served at 500 degrees — a reliable upscale option steps from the Convention Center”

45 S Illinois St

Spoke & Steele

restaurant $$$

New American

“Craft cocktails and elevated American fare inside Le Meridien hotel — sophisticated but not stuffy”

123 S Illinois St

🚶 8 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

St. Elmo Steak House

restaurant $$$$

Steakhouse

“World-famous shrimp cocktail that'll clear your sinuses — an Indianapolis institution since 1902”

127 S Illinois St

🚶 8 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

Weber Grill Restaurant

restaurant $$$

American / BBQ / Grill

“Everything cooked on Weber kettle grills — great steaks, burgers, and ribs right on Monument Circle”

10 N Illinois St

Browse All Venues

Neighborhoods to Explore

Where to Stay

Convention hotels with skywalk access to downtown venues

“On the corner of Illinois and Market — walking distance to everything downtown”

120 W Market St

🚶 8 min walk from Convention Center

“Connected to Convention Center via skywalk — revolving rooftop restaurant with city views”

1 S Capitol Ave

🚶 Connected via skywalk from Convention Center

“Largest hotel in Indiana — connected to the Convention Center via skywalk”

10 S West St

🚶 Connected via skywalk from Convention Center

“Connected to Convention Center and 200+ venues via the downtown skywalk system”

241 W Washington St

🚶 Connected via skywalk from Convention Center

“All-suite hotel with free cooked-to-order breakfast and evening reception — great value for families”

110 W Washington St

🚶 8 min walk from Convention Center

“Sleep in a converted Pullman train car inside historic Union Station — connected to Convention Center via skybridge”

123 W Louisiana St

🚶 Connected via skybridge from Convention Center

“Solid convention hotel adjacent to Lucas Oil Stadium and connected to the Convention Center”

350 W Maryland St

🚶 5 min walk from Convention Center

Omni Severin Hotel

hotel $$$

“Historic luxury hotel across the street from Union Station — a downtown Indy landmark since 1913”

40 W Jackson Pl

🚶 5 min walk from Convention Center

The Alexander

hotel $$$

“Boutique art hotel in the Autograph Collection — modern design, walkable to everything downtown”

333 S Delaware St

🚶 8 min walk from Convention Center

Bottleworks Hotel

hotel $$$$

“Stunning boutique hotel in the restored 1930s Coca-Cola bottling plant — rated #1 boutique hotel in the US”

850 Massachusetts Ave

🚶 15 min walk from Convention Center

Parking

Pro tip: Pre-book parking on SpotHero to save money during events. Walk-up rates spike during major conventions.

Capitol Commons Garage

parking $$$$

“Closest garage to the Convention Center — but you'll pay for the convenience”

20 N Capitol Ave

🚶 8 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

Plaza Park Garage

parking $$$

“Good value for Convention Center and Lucas Oil events — cheaper than Capitol Commons”

30 S Missouri St

🚶 3 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

“Best value downtown parking — $2 for up to 3 hours, connected to Circle Centre Mall and skywalk system”

48 W Maryland St

🚶 10 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

Pan Am Plaza Garage

parking $$$

“Large garage between the Convention Center and Lucas Oil — entrances on Capitol Ave and Illinois St”

201 S Capitol Ave

🚶 3 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

“Skywalk-connected to Gainbridge Fieldhouse — solid option for Pacers games and events”

155 S Delaware St

🚶 10 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

“Best daily rates near the Convention Center — max $18 for 24 hours”

301 S Meridian St

🚶 5 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

“South entrance to Circle Centre — escalator access to the mall and skywalk system”

26 W Georgia St

🚶 8 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium

Express Park Garage

parking $$

“24/7 garage right on Pennsylvania Street — early bird rate $15 if you enter before 9 AM”

20 N Pennsylvania St

“One of the cheapest garages downtown — $8 max daily rate”

101 N New Jersey St

Market Tower Garage

parking $$

“Central downtown garage steps from Monument Circle — $24 max daily”

139 N Illinois St

“Skybridge to JW Marriott — great for Victory Field and Convention Center west side”

401 W Washington St

🚶 10 min walk from Lucas Oil Stadium