Indianapolis has announced its intent to submit a bid to host the 2018 Super Bowl, nearly two years after it hosted the 2012 event at Lucas Oil Stadium. The bid effort will be chaired by Allison Melangton, the Indianapolis Sports Corp president and formerly the president and CEO of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee.
“The collaboration that went into the 2012 Super Bowl and the success of the event has generated tremendous community support to pursue the 2018 event,” said Melangton. “After doing our due diligence on the 2018 bid landscape, the Super Bowl Host Committee board has enthusiastically decided to move forward with a 2018 bid.”
The NFL will be reviewing the list of cities that intend to bid, with a short list of finalists expected to be announced in October. A final decision will be made in May 2014 at the NFL owners meeting. New Orleans, Denver and Minneapolis have also expressed interest in bidding.
In announcing the city’s interest in the 2018 event, Melangton also said Mark Miles, who chaired the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, will become an honorary co-chair of the 2018 Bid Committee. Joining Miles in that role will Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.