Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Indiana's premier basketball cathedral, home to the Pacers and Fever.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It opened in November 1999 to replace Market Square Arena. The arena is the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). It also hosts college basketball games (including the annual Big Ten Conference tournaments), indoor concerts, and ice hockey. Originally named Conseco Fieldhouse, after the financial firm Conseco, the arena was renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse, before Gainbridge became the naming rights sponsor in 2021.
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Primary Tenant
- Indiana Pacers (NBA)
- Predecessor Venue
- Market Square Arena
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The arena was originally named Conseco Fieldhouse, as the naming rights to the venue were sold to Conseco, a financial services organization based in nearby Carmel. In May 2010, the company renamed itself CNO Financial Group, but the fieldhouse retained the Conseco name. In December 2011, CNO Financial Group changed the name of the fieldhouse to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, after one of its subsidiaries, Bankers Life and Casualty. CNO decided not to renew its naming sponsorship after it expired on June 30, 2019. On September 27, 2021, the fieldhouse announced that Indianapolis-based financial platform Gainbridge would be the new naming partner for the fieldhouse in a multi-year partnership.
In Their Own Story
On December 13, 2011, the Indiana Pacers' home arena officially became Bankers Life Fieldhouse, a name it would carry for nearly eight years. The change came as CNO Financial Group, the parent company of Bankers Life, shifted the naming rights from its former corporate identity, Conseco. For fans, the building remained the same—the same steep seats, the same echoing roar during defensive stands—but the name on the marquee now belonged to a health insurance company headquartered in Chicago. The arena hosted countless games during this period, including the rise of the Pacers' 2010s defensive identity. When the naming rights expired on June 30, 2019, the building briefly lost its sponsored name, leaving a quiet gap until Gainbridge stepped in on September 27, 2021.
Reader's Guide
Ellerbe Becket designed the arena's distinctive brick and glass facade to evoke Indiana's classic high school and college field houses. Unlike most other North American sports arenas, the facility was designed primarily for basketball. The arena can accommodate an NHL-sized rink, but the ice hockey seating capacity is reduced to 12,500 in an asymmetrical configuration. For basketball, the venue seats 17,923 (18,345 from 1999 to 2006, 18,165 from 2006 to 2016).
Did You Know?
- The first NBA game held at Conseco Fieldhouse was on November 6, 1999, when the Indiana Pacers played their regular-season home opener against the Boston Celtics.
- In 2005 and 2006, Conseco Fieldhouse was ranked the No. 1 venue in the NBA according to the Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily Reader Survey.
- The venue's all-time attendance record is 18,345 fans, set during a Pacers game in 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Bankers Life Fieldhouse first open?
The arena officially opened its doors in 1999, replacing the older Market Square Arena as the team's home base in downtown Indianapolis. It marked a new modern era for Pacers basketball with state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance fan experience.
What was the stadium called before Bankers Life Fieldhouse?
Before its current name, the venue was originally known as Conseco Fieldhouse when it first debuted in the late 1990s. Naming rights have shifted over time, but the physical structure remains the same iconic home for the franchise.
Where is Bankers Life Fieldhouse located?
This basketball fortress sits right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, making it easily accessible for local supporters and visiting teams alike. Its central location has helped solidify its role as a community staple since construction began.
How many fans can fit inside during a game?
The arena holds approximately 18,000 spectators for basketball games, creating an electric atmosphere that rivals any venue in the league. This capacity ensures that playoff runs and regular-season battles feel intensely packed with energy.
Why is this arena significant to Pacers history?
It serves as the modern fortress where the team's identity as a defensive powerhouse was solidified during the late 1990s and 2000s. Legends were forged on this court, making it more than just a building but a central stage for franchise memories.
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