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+