CFP Chief: Indy ‘Natural Fit’ to Host Championship
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In three days, the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs will face the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. But how did the game come to the Circle City? CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock says the plan was always to host the game in 10 different cities in its first 10 years and Indy was a “natural fit.”
Hancock, who is no stranger to Indianapolis through his time with the NCAA, tells Inside INdiana Sports host Bill Benner in an interview airing this weekend that selecting a host city a matter of trust.
“You gain that trust by having worked with people through the years, but also by knowing that they’ve administered many successful top-tier events – all the Final Fours, the Super Bow,” said Hancock. “The city [of Indianapolis] has some obligations for this event and they have more than fulfilled their obligations.
In an October interview with our partners at WISH-TV, Hancock said Indy brings multiple benefits for hosting an event of this size.
“[When] you look in cities, you look for airports. You look for hotels. You look for venues, stadiums, convention centers. Indianapolis has it all,” Hancock said. “The greatest thing, though, about Indianapolis is the people. The warmth, the passion for sports, for college sports, is just unmatched here in Indianapolis and secondly, the walkability. You don’t need a car in Indianapolis. Walk around and enjoy the city.”
While the big game is scheduled for Monday night, the weekend of events kicks off Saturday with the opening of Fan Central at the Indiana Convention Center. The first of three concerts will also take place Saturday on Monument Circle featuring pop stars Doja Cat and AJR.
Click here for the full schedule of events
Hancock also discussed the potential of the CFP growing to include as many as 12 teams. You can find statewide showtimes for Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick by clicking here.