Super Bowl Parties Will Heat Up Indy Nightlife

Sure, the actual Super Bowl is a big deal. But let's be honest: The action on the field is rarely as hot as the parties leading up to the big game. The big event in Indianapolis will be no exception. More than 150,000 visitors are expected, and only about half of them will attend the game itself. A couple of first-time parties could attract even more star power than usual, meaning 2012 Super Bowl party tickets will be a hot commodity in a town not traditionally known for its nightlife.

Rolling Stone enters Super Bowl party fray

Atop the list of most-anticipated parties is the Super Bowl Bacardi Bash hosted by Rolling Stone, planned for Feb. 4 in a renovated factory a few blocks west of Lucas Oil Stadium. It's the first time Rolling Stone will host a Super Bowl bash and it won't be a small affair: The space can accommodate about 2,000 guests of the sponsors and hundreds more high rollers. Tickets at last check were selling for about $850 apiece. Rolling Stone also is planning a game-day tailgate party using the same space, which is scheduled to include performances by Jane's Addiction, The Roots and Pete Wentz.

DirecTV events to include Katy Perry, The Fray, Peyton Manning

Another tough ticket will be the DirecTV/HDNet "Super Saturday Night" party downtown on Feb. 4, which is scheduled to include a performance by Katy Perry. The bash will be hosted by Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Tickets are about $650. It will follow one of the wildest events of Super Bowl week: A celebrity flag football game on trucked-in sand under a massive heated tent on the lawn of Victory Field. The DirecTV Celebrity Beach Bowl will also include a performance by The Fray.

ESPN NEXT will feature Drake and an appearance by Cam Newton

ESPN The Magazine is planning its invite-only NEXT party in a warehouse near Interstate 70 a few miles west of Lucas Oil Stadium. The event on Friday, Feb. 3, will feature a performance by Drake and appearances by top athletes including Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. Celebrities who have attended prior NEXT events include Evander Holyfield, Kevin James and Alyssa Milano. A limited number of tickets are available for about $900 apiece.

Playboy party will draw A-list celebrities including, of course, Hugh Hefner

One of the standby Super Bowl social events is the legendary Playboy party. The Playboy party is planned for Friday, Feb. 3, and Playboy reportedly will throw its annual Super Bowl soiree at the Hampton Inn downtown, which will become the Bud Light Hotel during Super Bowl festivities. Besides Hugh Hefner, expected guests include Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson, Kevin Dillon, Kevin Connelly, Common, Tom Arnold and Milo Ventimiglia. Tickets are going for $1,300. The Bud Light Hotel will remain a hub of activity after the Playboy party, with planned performances by 50 Cent, Lil Jon and Pitbull on Feb. 4, and Barenaked Ladies on Feb. 5.

Maxim Party lineup includes Ludacris and possibly Madonna

The Maxim bash is set for the Indiana State Fairgrounds, following a fairgrounds tradition that began in Dallas. Word is the star-studded event will include a performance by the rapper Ludacris. Another possible performer is Madonna, who will be performing at halftime of the game itself. No confirmation just yet. Stay tuned to Indy2012.com! The Maxim party is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4. Tickets are selling for about $1,200.

Parties and more parties

Other top parties include Leather and Laces events on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, in the Regions Tower, the EA Sports Madden Bowl XVIII on Feb. 2 at the Bud Light Hotel, and Taste of the NFL: Party with a Purpose on Feb. 4. A new event for 2012 is the Maxim Salute the Troops Tailgate Party. It will be hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, NFL analyst and former all-star Tony Siragusa and U.S. Marine veteran and Medal of Honor winner Dakota Meyer.

Super Bowl 2012 Tickets: Avoiding a Repeat of Dallas

It was the ultimate letdown for more than 3,000 fans at last year's Super Bowl: They arrived on game day to discover their seats were not ready or deemed unsafe. About 500 wound up without a seat at all. That's not likely to happen in Indianapolis. The NFL and host city have taken special measures to prevent a similar fiasco for ticket holders to the 2012 Super Bowl. Lucas Oil Stadium will use less temporary seating, most of which has been used for prior events, and ensure the seats are installed and approved well in advance of game day. The stadium's regular staff of ushers will direct fans since they are most familiar with the venue's layout.

Super Bowl in Indianapolis: Have a ticket, have a seat

Fans denied seats at last year's Super Bowl will be among the roughly 63,000 people watching the big game on Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The league offered them refunds for their tickets and travel, along with tickets and accommodations for this year's game. The stadium hosts about 63,000 people for regular season Colts games and will host roughly the same total for the Super Bowl. Some extra seating is planned for a plaza area where Lucas Oil displays drag-racing replicas, along with upper level areas in the end zones.

How to buy Super Bowl 2012 tickets

Fans can buy tickets to the big game from a handful of online ticket marketplaces that have relationships with teams and sponsors. At the moment, tickets are being sold (buy now) within certain zones in the stadium, rather than specific rows and seats, until the game nears and the NFL allocates paper tickets. It's worth noting that buying a more expensive ticket within a zone does not guarantee a better seat within that zone. Another word of caution: Ticket prices may seem high now but they could go higher as it becomes clearer which teams are in the hunt.

How much you should expect to pay for 2012 Superbowl tickets

At the moment, tickets are for sale from about $2,000 to $6,000 apiece depending on the location within Lucas Oil Stadium, but the prices are expected to fluctuate widely in the next few weeks as the playoffs shape up. The teams on the field ultimately will determine the cost of tickets. Prices will rise if a team with a rabid fan base that travels well, such as the Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers, makes it to the Super Bowl. Story lines matter, too. Tickets likely would jump in price in the event Tim Tebow leads the Denver Broncos to the big game.

Indy Sets Concert Lineup for 2012 Super Bowl Village

More than a dozen national music acts and many more local musicians will perform free concerts on two stages at the Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis, from Jan. 27 through Feb. 5. Scheduled acts include rocker Bret Michaels; the bands Fuel, O.A.R., LMFAO and Umphrey's McGee; and country artists Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and Corey Cox.

Among the performers scheduled to appear at this year's exclusive Super Bowl parties are Katy Perry, Drake, The Fray, The Roots, 50 Cent, Pitbull, Lil' Jon, the Barenaked Ladies, and Pete Wentz. More information and ticket information for the parties is available on our constantly evolving Super Bowl 2012 Party Page.

Meantime, here's the lineup of scheduled acts on the free concert stages in the Super Bowl Village (list has been updated with a date and time for each show):

Verizon Stage (Pennsylvania and Georgia Streets) - National Acts

• Big Head Todd and the Monsters (Rock): 9-10:30 p.m. Feb. 1
• Bret Michaels (Rock): 9:30-11 p.m. Jan. 27
• Corey Cox (Country): 1:30-2:30 p.m. Jan. 29; and 2-3 p.m. Feb. 2
• Darius Rucker (Country): 9:30-11 p.m. Feb. 2
• Dierks Bentley (Country): 9:15-10:45 p.m. Jan. 29
• Edwin McCain (Pop Rock): 7-8 p.m. Feb. 2
• En Vogue (R&B/Pop): 4:30-5:30 p.m.. Feb. 3
• Fitz & the Tantrums (Pop Rock): 7-8 p.m. Feb. 3
• Fuel (Alternative): 9-10:30 p.m. Jan. 31
• Here Come The Mummies (Funk/RB/Dance): 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 4
• Jon McLaughlin: 4-5 p.m. Jan. 28
• LMFAO (Alternative Hip Hop/Dance): 9:30-11 p.m. Feb. 3
• Morris Day and the Time (Funk/R&B/Dance): 2-3 p.m. Feb. 3
• O.A.R (Jam Band): 9:30-11 p.m. Feb. 4.
• Patti Labelle (R&B/Pop): 9:15-10:45 p.m. Jan. 28
• Railroad Earth (Americana/Progressive Bluegrass): 6:30-7:45 Jan. 29
• Sixpence None the Richer (Pop Rock): 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 2
• Umphrey's McGee (Jam Band): 7-8 p.m. Feb. 4
• Will Hoge (Rock): 4-5 p.m. Jan. 29

Pepsi Stage (Meridian and Georgia Streets) - Emerging/local acts

• Bashiri Asad (Soul/R&B): 3:15-4:15 p.m. Feb. 3
• Blackberry Jam (Funk/Soul): 12:45-1:45 p.m. Feb. 3
• Born Again Floozies (Roots Music): 5:45-6:45 Feb. 4
• Carson Diesing (Blues): 12:45-1:45 p.m. Feb. 4
• Cynthia Layne (Soul/R&B): 2:45-3:45 p.m. Jan. 28
• DJ Limelight (Hip Hop/Soul): 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Feb. 3
• DJ Rusty (Funk/Soul/R&B): 3-4 p.m. Feb. 5
• Gentleman Alphonse (Live Hip Hop): 5:45-6:45 p.m. Feb. 3
• Greta Speaks (Covers): 3:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 31
• Healing Sixes (Rock): 3:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 30
• Hero, Jr. (Rock): 11:30-12:15 p.m. Feb. 2
• Hunter Smith Band (Country): 7:45-8:45 p.m. Jan. 31
• Indiana Reggae Band: Noon-1 p.m. Feb. 5
• Indy's Legends of Doo Wop (Doo Wop): 5-6 p.m. Feb. 1
• Jenny DeVoe (Singer/Songwriter): 8-9 p.m. Jan. 28
• John Spencer (Americana): 12:45-1:45 p.m. Feb. 2
• Living Proof (Covers): 7:45-8:45 p.m. Jan. 30
• Lynda Sayyah (Dance/Pop): 5:15-6:15 Jan. 28
• Max Allen Band (Jam/Rock/Dance): 5:45-6:45 p.m. Jan. 27
• North Mississippi Allstars: 8:15-9:15 p.m. Feb. 4
• Otis Gibbs (Folk/Americana): 3:15-4:15 p.m. Feb. 2
• Red Wanting Blue (Rock): 5:40-6:45 p.m. Feb. 2
• Roxie (Covers): 3:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 1
• Stereo Deluxe (Rock): 5-6 p.m. Jan. 30
• The Last Good Year (Rock): 3:30-4:15 p.m. Jan. 27
• The Meatball Band (Covers): 7:45-8:45 Feb. 1
• Twin Cats (Jam/Rock/Dance): 3:15-4:15 Feb. 4
• Whitney Coleman: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Feb. 5

Maxim plans tailgate party before 2012 Super Bowl

The men's magazine Maxim has added a star-studded tailgate party to its lineup for this year's Super Bowl in Indianapolis. The Maxim Salute the Troops Tailgate Party will be hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, NFL analyst and former all-star Tony Siragusa, U.S. Marine veteran and Medal of Honor winner Dakota Meyer, and the winner of the magazine's 2008 Hometown Hotties competition, April Rose.

The tailgate party is scheduled for 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, and will occupy a heated tent along Missouri Street a few blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium. Tickets to the event are about $575 apiece, which covers food and drink.

Maxim is famous for its Saturday night party before the Super Bowl. Among the guests for last year's bash in Dallas: NFL player Reggie Bush, singer Chris Brown, Glee's Heather Morrison, Jersey Shore's Pauly D and Entourage stars Adrian Grenier and Kevin Connolly.

No official word yet on the location for Maxim's 2012 Big Game Party but word around town is the Indiana State Fairgrounds. (You can buy Maxim party tickets for about $1,700 apiece here). Stay tuned to Indy2012.com for the latest on Super Bowl 2012.

More party information: Super Bowl Parties Will Heat Up Indy Nightlife

Experts Predict Super Bowl 2012 Winners: Packers Remain Favorites over Patriots; 49ers and Ravens Surge

The Green Bay Packers are runaway favorites to win the 2012 Super Bowl in the Indy2012.com poll, and the team remains the odds-on choice of most league prognosticators. In our poll, the Packers have captured 41 percent of the vote, followed by the San Francisco 49ers with 10 percent. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots have received 6 percent apiece. You can still vote in the column at right!

The Packers also are the favorites (9/5) among Las Vegas odds makers, followed closely by the Patriots (17/4) and the New Orleans Saints (13/2), according to BetVega.com. Next up are the Steelers (9/1), Baltimore Ravens (9/1) and 49ers (11/1).

Before the season began, ESPN's John Clayton predicted the Patriots would beat the Packers to win it all, but now he's calling for a Packers-Ravens match-up and a Packers win. Peter King of Sports Illustrated originally called for a Super Bowl win by the Atlanta Falcons over the San Diego Chargers, but in a more recent interview he predicted a Patriots championship.

Make your own predictions in the comments below, and stay tuned to Indy2012.com for complete coverage of the big game in Indianapolis.

Super Bowl 2012 News Updates

Tickets now on sale for NFL Experience, Super Bowl Village Zip Line

Fans from Indianapolis and elsewhere can now buy tickets to some of the biggest non-game festivities, including the NFL Experience at the Indiana Convention Center for $25, and a zip line tour through the Super Bowl Village, for $10 per person. More

NFL partners with Disney on Super Bowl training

The NFL has enlisted the Disney Institute to put on a training program for more than 20,000 employees who will interact with fans at the 2012 Super Bowl. The goal is to make visiting fans "feel like VIPs". The move is a response to serious logistical issues during the 2011 Super Bowl, when more than 3,000 ticket-holders wound up without seats. More

Giant Super Bowl ads planned for downtown buildings

Several building owners in Indianapolis are hoping to sell space for giant ads for NFL sponsors. The first two banners, for Frito Lay and Pepsi, will hang on two sides of the Pan Am Plaza office building. An Indianapolis consulting firm is leading an auction to sell space on 17 other prominent buildings. More

It's official: Madonna will provide half-time entertainment

The NFL announced this week that the pop star Madonna will sing at half-time of the big game on Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium. It will be the first Super Bowl performance for Madonna. She follows The Black Eyed Peas and The Who as the most recent big-game performers. The Indiana University Marching Hundred will perform during the pre-game festivities. More

Win Tickets to Super Bowl 2012: Sweepstakes Rundown

The most exciting way to land tickets for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis is by winning a sweepstakes from one of the NFL's corporate sponsors. We've compiled the following list of contests that could win you a visit to Lucas Oil Stadium for the big game on Feb. 5, 2012. Many of the deadlines fall at the end of December, so you'll have to act fast!

Some contests require only a few clicks on Facebook, but others will take a little creativity. You can win a Super Bowl trip, for example, by showing how you transformed your look using Van Heusen clothing, or taking a photo of an impressive tailgating spread to win Prilosec's offering. If you've heard of other contests, please share the details in the comments. And remember to check back regularly with Indy2012.com, your guide to the Big Game.

UPDATE: Most of the deadlines to win free tickets have passed! Still looking to buy tickets? Send your name, phone number and a good time to call to indysuperbowltickets@gmail.com and a ticket concierge will be in touch shortly.

• Visa’s You + Ten (Deadline passed)
  Enter via Facebook for a chance to win a trip to the Super Bowl for you and up to 10 friends (valued at more than $59,000!).
  Entry frequency: Unlimited
  End date: Dec. 27, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. PT
  Eligibility: USA, 18+
• GMC Never Say Never Sweepstakes
  Enter by choosing your dream GMC vehicle, and you could win that car or a trip to the big game.
  Entry frequency: One entry per person/email
  End date: Different deadlines for each week’s drawing
  Eligibility: USA, 18+
• Rudolph Foods – The Big Game Contest (pig Skins for pigskin) (Deadline passed)
  Enter for a chance to win tickets to Super Bowl XLVI, a year's supply of pork rinds, $2,000 cash and other prizes.
  Entry frequency: Unspecified
  End date: Dec. 31, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. PT
  Eligibility: Contiguous USA, 21+
• Campbell’s Soup – Chunky Super Bowl XLVI Sweepstakes (Deadline passed)
  Enter Campbell’s Chunky Super Bowl XLVI Sweepstakes via Facebook for a chance to win one of 10 trips to the game, each valued at more than $10,000.
  Entry frequency: One entry per person/email
  End date: Dec. 9, 2011, 11:59 p.m. ET
  Eligibility: USA, 21+
• Snickers – Super Bowl Sweepstakes (Deadline passed)
  Enter to win a trip to two to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, valued at more than $11,000.
  Entry frequency: One entry, per day per person/email
  End date: Jan. 3, 2012, 12 a.m. ET
  Eligibility: Contiguous USA, 18+
• Van Heusen – Big Game In Style Contest (Deadline passed)
  Submit photos that show how Van Heusen clothes have transformed you from a schlub to a swaggerer, and you can win a trip for you and four friends, valued at almost $23,000.
  Entry frequency: Five entries per person/email
  End date: Dec. 31, 2011, 11:59 p.m. ET
  Eligibility: USA, 21+
  
• Prilosec – A Better Way to Tailgate: Tailgate Fan Challenge (Deadline passed)
  Show your tailgate spirit by entering photos of either your tailgate food spread, your team spirit or your tailgate set-up, and you could win one of three free trips to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
  Entry frequency: One entry per person, per category
  End date: Jan. 4, 2012, 5 p.m. ET
  Eligibility: Contiguous USA, 18+
• Papa John’s – Super Bowl XLVI trip giveaway (Deadline passed)
  Enter a chance to win one of five trips valued at more than $10,000 each.
  Entry frequency: One time per person/email
  End date: Dec. 25, 2011
  Eligibility: USA, 18+
• Castrol EDGE Super Bowl Sweepstakes (Deadline passed)
  Enter for a chance to win a three-night trip for two and $1,000 cash.
  Entry frequency: One entry per person/email
  End date: Dec. 31, 2011, 11:59 p.m. ET
  Eligibility: USA, 18+
• NFL Play 60 Super Bowl Contest 2012 (Deadline passed)
  This contest is designed for entry by children ages 6-13. If a child describes which NFL player inspires him or her to be more fit, as well as how his or her family stays fit, all in 25-75 words, he or she could win a trip to the 2012 Super Bowl, including the ability to deliver the game ball to the field. Other prizes include tickets to NFL games during the 2012 regular season.
  Entry frequency: One time, per person/e-mail
  End date: Dec. 8, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. ET
  Eligibility: USA, ages 6-13
• Liftmaster – Get a Lift to the Game Sweepstakes (Deadline passed)
  Enter via Facebook for a chance to win a free trip to Super Bowl XLVI valued at more than $11,000.
  Entry frequency: One time per person
  End date: Dec. 16, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. PT
  Eligibility: USA, 18+
• Smoothie King – Oath of “Oh-Yes-You-Can” Super Bowl contest (Deadline passed)
  Enter via Facebook for a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl XLVI.
  Entry frequency: One time per person
  End date: Dec. 18, 2011, at 12 a.m. PT
  Eligibility: USA, 18+

Hotels for Super Bowl 2012 Mostly Booked

Lining up a place to stay for the Super Bowl could be a chore for many of the roughly 150,000 visitors expected in Indianapolis for the big game on Feb. 5. Hotel and travel websites are listing only a few rooms for sale, and many of them are far from downtown and far from four-star and still carry asking prices of $400 per night or more. Fortunately, there are a few options. Among them:

• Rent a house or apartment. Dozens of Hoosiers are looking to share some hospitality and make a few bucks by renting out houses or condos near downtown. How do you find them? A new local website has compiled a list of homes and event venues for rent during Super Bowl week. The site offers free listings for property owners and takes a cut of any successful rentals. Of course, you could also check Craigslist for rental homes or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, set up an account on CouchSurfing.org. 
• Opt for a package deal. This may be the best option for folks who haven't bought tickets yet. Most ticket outfits offer package deals that include hotel accommodations near Lucas Oil Stadium. Attending the Super Bowl is never cheap, but ordering a package can save you a few bucks and ensure you're close to the action.
• Play the waiting game. The NFL has contracted with more than 140 hotels across the state to reserve rooms for fans and is releasing the rooms in waves. Most of the hotels will have a four-night minimum stay. No rooms are available at the moment, but check back at Indy2012.com for updates on the availability of rooms.

Super Bowl 2012 News Roundup

A Super hideaway for VIPs
The NFL is working on plans to transform a portion of Union Station into an ultra-exclusive hangout for corporate sponsors, team owners and former players. The league is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to build the ski-lodge themed NFL House, the first time it has put together such a venue. More

Super Bowl advertising lineup takes shape
TV ads during the NBC broadcast of the big game are going for as much as $3.5 million for a 30-second spot. Of course, the usual suspects Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Coca-Cola, General Motors and Doritos will be well represented. Spots also are expected from Century 21, Best Buy, Cars.com and GoDaddy.com. More

Game time for food-truck owners
Indianapolis food truck owners are gearing up to serve football fans during the Super Bowl week. Among the top attractions are Mable on the Move, Edward's Dashboard Diner and West Coast Tacos. Fun fact: Americans consume more food on Super Bowl Sunday than every other day except Thanksgiving. More 

Colts honor Marvin Harrison
The Colts won't be playing in the Super Bowl Feb. 5, but one of the team's legends soon will have a permanent place in the host stadium. The team plans to add Harrison to the Lucas Oil Stadium Ring of Honor during halftime of the Carolina Panthers game Nov. 27. He'll be only the eighth member of a group that includes Robert Irsay, Jim Harbaugh and Tony Dungy. More

Super Bowl 2012 for Indianapolis Locals: Get Involved

The Super Bowl 2012 Host Committee is offering several ways for Indianapolis residents to get involved in February's big game even if they can't afford tickets. Among the highlights: 

Knit a Super Bowl 2012 Scarf
Hundreds of volunteers have been knitting blue and white scarves to be worn by 2012 Super Bowl volunteers. The goal was to distribute 8,000 scarves with the official Super Bowl XLVI patch, but volunteers already have knitted about 10,000. The last day to submit a scarf is Nov. 30. More info

Plant one of (more than) 2,012 trees
The Host Committee has partnered with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and the John H. Boner Community Center to plant trees on the Near Eastside as part of the 2012 Super Bowl legacy initiatives. The groups already have planted more than 2,400 trees. More info

Have your child write a welcome letter
Thousands of guests in Indianapolis hotel rooms will receive a personalized welcome card from a child in one of the state’s 92 counties. The Host Committee hopes to collect 18,000 of the cards by Dec. 31. Children should illustrate their favorite things about Indiana. More info


Take a free Super Service training class
Hospitality workers and Super Bowl volunteers are taking a free online course to help the city roll out the red carpet for Super Bowl visitors. The course is focused on general principals of hospitality, Indiana history and specific plans for the big game. More info

Indianapolis Bars, Bowling Alleys and Hotels Could Go Smoke-Free Before 2012 Super Bowl

Indianapolis bars, bowling alleys and hotel rooms could go smoke-free before Super Bowl festivities begin early next year. The Republican president of the City-County Council has proposed extending an existing smoking ban to the now-excluded establishments. The ban still would exempt cigar and hookah bars, retail tobacco stores and nonprofit fraternal clubs. Mayor Greg Ballard has told reporters he supports the proposal.

Democrats, set to take control of the Council on Jan. 1, had been planning their own expansion of the Marion County smoking ban. They're expected to push for a tougher ban. A group of more than 1,000 Indianapolis-area bar owners also is supporting a tougher ban, in large measure so competitors don't gain an upper hand by allowing smoking.

Council President Ryan Vaughn said the measure needs to be passed by late December so it can be advertised in time to take effect before 2012 Super Bowl festivities begin.

Tips on Choosing a 2012 Super Bowl Package

Attending a Super Bowl is as much about the atmosphere and experience as the game itself. The parties. The pep rallies. The NFL Experience. But planning a Super Bowl trip is a lot more complicated than your typical vacation. Hotel rooms are scarce, traffic can be a nightmare and surprise expenses add up fast. That's why plenty of savvy Super Bowl veterans book a package deal for the big game. Credible ticket marketplaces already are offering 2012 Super Bowl Packages that let fans focus more on atmosphere and experience and less on logistics. Here are a few tips for choosing the right Super Bowl package:

• Super Bowl package basics.
  Every Super Bowl ticket package at a minimum should include game tickets, hotel accommodations and transportation to and from the game. Packages generally are sold at a per-person rate, so you can save money if you're willing to share a hotel room with friends.
• Choose your level.
  Super Bowl ticket packages are priced based on where you'd like to sit for the big game. The base price will get you an upper-level seat but you're welcome to upgrade based on your budget. Make sure the hotel included in the package is well located, and review the rankings on Trip Advisor. In some cases, you can actually choose your hotel. 
• Look for experience and a guarantee.
  Make sure the marketplace has Super Bowl experience and a guarantee on your package. For an event like the Super Bowl, credible sellers will offer on-site customer service so you can immediately address any concerns about your tickets or accommodations.
• Extras are everything.
  Tickets to the big game, hotel accommodations and ground transportation are a given with most Super Bowl ticket packages. Before you seal the deal, look for extras like VIP party passes, tickets to the NFL Experience and even complimentary souvenirs.

Oddsmakers Call 2012 Super Bowl Matchup: Green Bay Packers v. New England Patriots

At the half-way mark for the NFL season, oddsmakers say the most likely pairing for Super Bowl 2012 in Indianapolis is the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots. (That's exactly the matchup they were predicting as the season began.)

A Super Bowl between such high-profile teams with enthusiastic fan bases likely to travel would be a boon to Indianapolis, drawing even more visitors to the city in early February.

The Packers are the favorites (4/1) to win the big game, followed closely by the Patriots (7/1), according to BetVega.com. Next in line are the Pittsburgh Steelers (10/1), Philadelphia Eagles (13/1), New Orleans Saints (13/1), Baltimore Ravens (13/1) and the San Francisco 49ers (16/1). The longest of the long shots are the winless Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins (Both 1000/1).

Visit the Super Bowl Village and NFL Experience

Even without tickets to the 2012 Super Bowl, sports fans of all ages can participate in the hoopla surrounding the big game. The Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and the NFL have teamed to host people of all ages at NFL-themed events in the days leading up to the Super Bowl on Feb. 5, 2012.

The epicenter will be a Super Bowl Village along a three-block stretch of Georgia Street between the Indiana Convention Center and Conseco Fieldhouse. The street has been transformed into a pedestrian-focused and weather-sheltered boardwalk. Other highlights include a zip line down Capitol Avenue, the always popular NFL Experience and an opportunity to watch ESPN broadcast live from Pan Am Plaza from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5.

Need parking for NFL Experience or Super Bowl Village? Reserve a spot now

Super Bowl Village & NFL Experience
In the days before the Super Bowl, the street will play host to a 10-day-long "interactive festival of football" showcasing all 32 NFL teams. Local and national bands will perform on two stages. Existing restaurants will be supplemented with temporary dining and retail options. And the former Nordstrom at Circle Centre will become The Huddle, a temporary attraction featuring a warming area, beer garden, merchandise shop, nightclub and live broadcasts of the Bob and Tom show. The Super Bowl Village will lead to a red-carpet entrance to the NFL Experience, which will set up shop in the Indiana Convention Center. The pro-football interactive theme park will take the entire 500,000-square-foot space starting in January, offering football clinics for children, autograph sessions and a massive memorabilia show.

NFL Experience, zip line tickets now on sale
Tickets for NFL Experience are now on sale through Ticketmaster. Kids 12 and under are $20, and adults are $25. Activities in the Super Bowl Village are free and open to the public, with the exception of a zip line through the village, which is $10 per person. The zip line down Capitol Avenue will be the longest temporary zip line in the U.S.

NFL Selects Arizona for 2015 Super Bowl

The Phoenix metropolitan area won the right to host its third Super Bowl at a meeting of NFL owners, winning out in a duel with Tampa. The 2015 game will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., which last hosted a Super Bowl in 2008. Following the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis, the 2013 game is slated for New Orleans, followed by New York's Meadowlands Stadium in 2014. Tampa has hosted four Super Bowls, most recently in 2009.

Madonna to Headline Super Bowl Halftime?

The on-field matchup for the 2012 Super Bowl is anyone's guess at this point. But a potential halftime headliner is generating buzz four month before the big game kicks off. The pop icon Madonna is talking with NFL officials about entertaining the Super Bowl audience to coincide with the launch of her first album in three years, several news outlets reported following an initial report on the sports website SB Nation. Madonna has never performed for a Super Bowl halftime, though the league approached her about singing at the games in 1998 and 2000.

Tips for Buying 2012 Super Bowl Tickets

Watching a Super Bowl in person is the experience of a lifetime. It’s also the toughest ticket in the world of sports. But you can snag 2012 Super Bowl Tickets even without the inside track of a team or sponsor connection if you know where to turn. Below you’ll find some helpful tips for buying your tickets.

• Understand how tickets are supplied.
  Ticket marketplaces can offer Super Bowl tickets with guaranteed seating in certain sections before the on-sale date. How? They have relationships with sponsors, players and others with access to guaranteed seats. Exact section and row assignments will be available as the game nears.
• Set a price alert.
  Most marketplaces offer price alerts when ticket prices reach a specified level. The industry is a live market, so prices change daily. Just because tickets may be out of reach one day does not mean they won’t eventually fall.
• Look for a guarantee.
  Always make sure the marketplace has a guarantee on tickets sold for the Super Bowl and understand what recourse you have should there be issues with availability or shipping. For an event like the Super Bowl, legitimate sellers will offer on-site delivery for last-minute orders. Be sure the buyer guarantee includes a full refund if the exact tickets you want aren’t available.
• Find the best seats.
  When it comes to finding the right seats, interactive seating charts are your friend. Not only can you drill down on each section of Lucas Oil Stadium, but you’ll also be able to compare prices for each section. If you’re still not able to find the seats you’re looking for, call customer service. Reputable marketplaces have agents on call to discuss anything regarding tickets, pricing, seating and shipping.

Super Bowl 2012 TV ads almost sold out

The NFL season has only just begun and already all but five Super Bowl commercial slots for the NBC broadcast have sold, USA Today reported. The 30-second spots are going for a record $3.5 million apiece. To get a spot during the Super Bowl on Feb. 5, 2012, advertisers also are required to buy advertising during other sports programming on NBC.

Game on! Planning continues for Indianapolis Super Bowl 2012 after lockout ends

The game is a go! The 2012 Super Bowl is on schedule for Feb. 5, 2012, after the NFL and its players reached a 10-year labor deal ending a lockout that began in March. The end of the lockout means Indianapolis can book another event for the "backup" Super Bowl date. From the Associated Press:

The Super Bowl host committee can finally sack its backup plan for this season's championship game in Indianapolis.
Less than an hour after the NFLPA's executive committee and 32 player reps unanimously backed a new 10-year labor deal Monday, committee spokeswoman Dianna Boyce said she expects the league to open up the Feb. 12 date -- a weekend the league wanted to keep open in case the Feb. 5 game was delayed -- and allow local hoteliers to begin booking rooms.
That means the game will be played on its originally scheduled date.
"We've remained confident this would be resolved, and today it's being resolved," Boyce said. "It allows us not to have to answer the question about if. Now we know when."

The full story is here.

Indianapolis Super Bowl 2012 host committee hopes to learn from Dallas

Dozens of members of the city's 2012 Super Bowl host committee and leaders of local agencies traveled to Dallas this week to get a final tuneup before Indianapolis hosts next year's game. Host Committee CEO Allison Melangton told WTHR that members of the delegation will be putting in more than 12 hours per day gathering "incredible intelligence" on how to host the game.

Members of the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee will be do more than watching. Some will be working Super Bowl events and getting some on-the-job training.

Roughly 80 members of the Host Committee and city agencies will be in Dallas, Forth Worth and Arlington, Texas. This is their last chance to pick up what are called the past pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle we call the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl creates an unprecedented challenge for public safety agencies, city services, transportation services and the hospitality industry.

The full story is here.