Indy Eleven Games with Kids | A Family Guide to Indianapolis Soccer Matches

Indy Eleven isn’t just a hobby for a couple of guys on the weekend, it’s a lifestyle and a commitment to help build up the love of soccer in the city of Indianapolis, one fan at a time. Indy Eleven is about celebrating our community and the groups and the people who make Indiana special. Now that I’m familiar with this team—it’s hard to believe that it took us five years to take our kids to see this amazing team play a match—we are forever fans of the Boys in Blue!

Indy Eleven is the official professional soccer team of Indianapolis and they’re a part of the United Soccer League. Most of the Indy Eleven home games are played at IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium, but we’re all waiting on pins and needles for them to break ground for the new Indy Eleven stadium, Eleven Park!

Indy with Kids is proud to partner with Indy Eleven to introduce Indiana families to professional soccer!

Five Reasons to go to an Indy Eleven Game with Kids

There’s an atmosphere of excitement throughout the match but the party before the game will get everyone amped for the game!

Doors open 60 minutes before the game so fans can enjoy the Fun Zone and get settled in to their seats. There are free giveaways in the Honda Fun Zone where kids and adults can nab some Indy Eleven swag, get their face painted (free) and have a balloon animal or hat made. You might spin some wheels, meet some mascots and walk away with a few fun items. This is all included in your ticket price.

 Indy Eleven soccer games are perfect for short attention spans and reasonable bedtimes.

The match itself is only 90 minutes long with a very short halftime. The action on the field and in the stands will keep everyone entertained and leave you surprised when the game is over. The high energy, fast paced game makes time fly, even for the little ones!

 Parking makes it easy to get into the Stadium and tailgating is a blast.

Fans can park in the parking lot at Lucas Oil Stadium for only $15 per vehicle. Arrive early for tailgating festivities, then it’s just a quick walk across the south lot (or you might luck out with front row parking like our group did) and in to the stadium, right in to the Honda Fun Zone.

 Indy Eleven players are winners.

Of course we have an incredibly talented team full of hard working players, but it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about how you play the game and how you interact with your fans. The team members are there, playing for you. They put on a great show during the game but then after the game, they hang around and sign autographs and pose for photos, just head on down to the lower level and they’ll come right up to where you’re standing. Bring along a Sharpie and something to sign!

 Spoiler Alert: There’s confetti.

I don’t want to ruin the element of surprise, but there’s nothing more exciting than when our team scores a goal! Everyone jumps from their seats, the crowd goes wild and confetti and streamers fall from the sky over the Brickyard Battalion. What’s that you ask? The Brickyard Battalion is the general admission seating area (unreserved) where only the biggest fans sit. Actually, they never are really sitting, they’re always standing, waving flags and banners, playing instruments, singing songs. It’s the official cheering section for the self appointed and organized spirit squad of the Indy Eleven. You’re invited too, but just know that these fans are the epitome of Indy Eleven Fans.

How Our Family Became Indy Eleven Fans in 90 Minutes or Less

We grabbed super affordable reserved seats.
We stocked up on spirit wear from The Shop.
We cheered for the Boys in Blue (that’s what they call the players).
We were drawn to the excitement of the Brickyard Battalion (that’s the independent supporter group of the team).
We jumped at the sound of the crowd when Indy Eleven scored their first goal of the game.
We grinned and squealed about the confetti and streamers, wondering if there would be more.
We jumped to our feet and lost our voices when the second goal was scored and there was more confetti.
We stayed after and filled our t-shirts and soccer ball with signatures from the team.
Repeat.

Regular Season Games

With only a limited number of games left in the 2022 season, you’ve got to get out there now!

Saturday, August 6, 7 pm
vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Saturday, August 27, 7 pm
vs. San Antonio FC

Wednesday, August 31, 7 pm
vs. Louisville City FC

Saturday, September 10, 7 pm
vs. Birmingham Legion FC

Sunday, September 25, 5 pm
vs. Loudoun United FC

Saturday, October 1, , 7 pm
vs. FC Tulsa

Saturday, October 8, 7 pm
vs. Charleston Battery

Taking Young Children to the Indy Eleven Game

Strollers are allowed in the stadium but there is not a stroller check area, do so at your own risk.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted except for children/infants under the age of two years old. Some considerations can be made for medically necessary reasons.

The game itself wasn’t super loud, but when we all cheered for a goal, there was an unanticipated burst of sound that frightened a few of the youngest kids in our group, you might consider bringing over the ear protection for the younger kids.

There is a mothers nursing pod available at three locations throughout Lucas Oil Stadium.

Family restrooms are available right outside of most seating areas.

Tickets for the Indy Eleven Home Games

Tickets are super easy to purchase and not very expensive either. You can buy them online through the Indy Eleven website or Ticketmaster or by calling the Indy Eleven front office (M-F, 9am-5pm) at 317-685-1100. In most cases, you’ll also be able to purchase them in person on game day two hours before the start of the game. At the time of publishing this article in 2022, Indy Eleven tickets are only $15 per person (and up). Children three and under are free as lap children.

We hope to see your family at the next Indy Eleven home game at Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium. We’ll be the ones cheering the loudest.