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Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium - home of Indiana in Bloomington, IN
NCAA FBS

Merchants Bank Field at Memorial StadiumBloomington, Indiana

Indiana

👥
Capacity
53,524
🏆
Conference
Big Ten
📅
Opened
1960
🌱
Surface
Matrix Artificial Turf

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📖About Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium

Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium holds 52,929 and is the oldest Big Ten stadium still in use. Dedicated in 1960 as a WWI/WWII memorial, it's surrounded by beautiful limestone and iconic Indiana University architecture. The 2024 season saw Indiana's remarkable turnaround under Coach Curt Cignetti, reaching the College Football Playoff.

🏛️History

Origins

Opened October 8, 1960 with a 20-16 loss to Oregon, replacing the 10th Street Stadium. Built as a memorial to Indiana University alumni who died in World War I and World War II. The 105-foot Memorial Stadium Fieldhouse anchors the north end.

Major Renovations

1971Upper deck added, capacity reached 52,354
1988AstroTurf installed (replaced with natural grass in 2001)
2018$48M Excellence Academy built adjacent to stadium
2024Merchants Bank acquired naming rights; new video boards installed

Notable Moments

Oct 12, 2024Indiana beat Nebraska 56-7 during 11-0 regular season
Nov 2, 2024Record sellout crowd for Ohio State game during CFP run
Nov 30, 2024Senior Day celebration after most successful season in school history

🎟️Visitor Guide

Best Seats

Sections 101-108 offer sideline views near the Indiana bench. The Hoosier Heritage Club (south end zone) has premium amenities. Upper deck provides panoramic views of campus. Student section is in sections 24-28.

Parking Tips

Lots open 4 hours before kickoff. Closer lots (17th Street, Fee Lane) require passes. General parking at Bloomington High School North with shuttle. Street parking in neighborhoods requires walking. Arrive early—17th Street gets congested.

Game Day

Tailgate Row on 17th Street is the main fan gathering area. The "IU" chant echoes through the limestone walkways. Watch for the Hoosier Marching Hundred band—one of Big Ten's oldest. Post-game, hit Kirkwood Avenue for Bloomington's best restaurants and bars. Clear bag policy enforced.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

Nick's English Hut

$$

Bloomington’s most famous bar. Home of the "Sink the Biz" game.

📍 1 mile423 E Kirkwood Ave

💡 Order a bucket of beers and play Sink the Biz—it’s an IU requirement.

The Bluebird

$$

Famous live music venue and bar right on the Square.

📍 1.1 miles216 N Walnut St

💡 Check the schedule for post-game concerts.

Brothers Bar & Grill

$

Large sports bar on Kirkwood with a great outdoor patio.

📍 1.1 miles215 N Walnut St

💡 Very popular with students and younger alumni on gamedays.

🍽️Restaurants

Mother Bear's Pizza

$$

Consistently voted some of the best pizza in the country.

📍 1.2 miles1428 E 3rd St

💡 The "Treasure Island" pizza is a local favorite.

BuffaLouie's

$$

Legendary wings in an old-school IU atmosphere.

📍 0.9 miles114 S Indiana Ave

💡 Located right across from Sample Gates; perfect for a gameday lunch.

Runcible Spoon

$

Quirky, beloved breakfast and lunch spot in a converted house.

📍 1 mile412 E 6th St

💡 The smoked salmon hash is excellent.

🏨Hotels

Graduate Bloomington

$$$$

Stylishly themed hotel on Kirkwood Avenue celebrating all things IU.

📍 1.1 miles210 E Kirkwood Ave

💡 Check out the vintage basketball decor in the lobby.

Biddle Hotel and Conference Center

$$$

Located directly inside the Indiana Memorial Union on campus.

📍 0.8 miles900 E 7th St

💡 The most historic and central stay in Bloomington.

🎭Attractions

The Sample Gates

$

The iconic stone entrance to the IU campus.

📍 0.9 milesE Kirkwood Ave & S Indiana Ave

💡 The essential photo spot for any visitor.

Assembly Hall

$

The historic home of Indiana Basketball, located right next to the stadium.

📍 0.1 miles1001 E 17th St

💡 Take a walk around the outside and visit the athletics museum if open.

🅿️Parking Options

🏢

Poplars Garage

$20-30
Garage📍 0.9 miles

💡 A reliable public option with a bit of a walk through campus.

🏢

Henderson Garage

$20
Garage📍 1.2 miles

💡 Good alternative if closer lots are full.

🅿️

17th Street Tailgate Row

Donor Pass
Lot📍 0 miles

💡 The premier tailgating area; requires a pre-purchased permit.

Suggest a Tip

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🔥Rivals

→

Kroger Field at C.M. Newton Grounds

Kentucky

Lexington, KY

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Spartan Stadium

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Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon

East Lansing, MI

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Ross–Ade Stadium

Purdue

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West Lafayette, IN

Stadiums Near Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium

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Lucas Oil Stadium

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Indianapolis, IN44 mi
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Memorial Stadium

Indiana State Sycamores

Terre Haute, Indiana49 mi
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Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl

Butler Bulldogs

Indianapolis, Indiana50 mi
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L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium

Louisville

Louisville, KY79 mi
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Ross–Ade Stadium

Purdue

West Lafayette, IN89 mi
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O’Brien Field

Eastern Illinois Panthers

Charleston, Illinois91 mi

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.