Indianapolis slated for Super Bowl bid

Indianapolis is one of three cities invited to place a bid to be host to Super Bowl LII in 2018, the NFL announced Tuesday.

New Orleans and Minneapolis are the other two finalists.

Three other cities — Dallas, Miami and Tampa — had also previously submitted an application to be considered for placing a bid.

Representatives of the six cities made a pitch during the NFL’s fall meeting Tuesday in Washington D.C. Immediately following the meeting, the League announced their top three selections.

“It is very gratifying the NFL asked Indy to submit a bid to host Super Bowl LII,” Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said in a statement following the League’s announcement. “Indy’s reputation for hosting great events is unmatched. I have no doubt our team will put forth an exciting plan to host another Super Bowl that will make the NFL, its owners and football fans around the world very proud.”

In conjunction with the city’s accomplishment, Gov. Mike Pence said in a press release,

“Indiana far surpassed expectations in 2012, and we look forward to submitting another promising bid to showcase once again Hoosier hospitality and all that Indiana has to offer.”

Indianapolis is hoping to duplicate its success from its first time as host to the Super Bowl in 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Events and attractions organized during Super Bowl XLVI weekend included an outdoor Super Bowl village on Georgia Street and other programs at the Indiana Convention Center.

This led Lucas Oil Stadium to receive positive feedback from attendees and the NFL.

Lucas Oil was named the best venue in the NFL by Stadium Journey Magazine in 2012.

Allison Melangton, president of Indiana Sports Corporation and chair of the 2018 Indianapolis Super Bowl Bid Committee, said the city plans to utilize this opportunity again in the best way possible.

“We are extremely excited to move forward in the 2018 Super Bowl process,” Melangton said. “The 2012 Super Bowl had a tremendously positive impact on Indiana, and our community is ready to produce a compelling bid for 2018.”

Indianapolis, however, can expect competition.

Although it hasn’t hosted a Super Bowl since 1992, Minneapolis broke ground this month to build a $975 million fixed-roof football stadium slated to be complete by 2016.

Despite the typical cold, harsh temperatures present during the month of February in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Vikings’ new stadium is anticipated to be the main attraction to host Super Bowl LII.

If Super Bowl LII is played in Minneapolis, it would be the farthest north the game has ever been played.

Likewise New Orleans, who has been host to an NFL record of 10 Super Bowls, has plans to celebrate the city’s tricentennial in addition to Super Bowl LII.

Jay Cicero, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation president and chief executive officer, said in a statement, “What better time for New Orleans to host its record 11th Super Bowl than during a party 300 years in the making?”

Nevertheless, Indianapolis plans to compete with the two other cities using their best resources possible.

“Our competition is stiff, but we look forward to showcasing the strengths of our community and earning the right to host Super Bowl LII,” Melangton said.

Indianapolis will officially submit its bid in April.

The NFL announced shortly after Tuesday’s meeting they would release the winning city at their spring meeting May 19-21 in Atlanta, Ga.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who was in Washington D.C. Tuesday, tweeted, “Congrats to the great city of Indy for making it as a Super Bowl finalist!”

Irsay had previously stated he was “ready to go in and call in as many favors as I have to from the other 31 owners,” when Indianapolis announced its plan last August to submit an application to place a bid at Lucas Oil Stadium.

After Tuesday's decision by the NFL, Irsay told Colts.com that “considering the track record of our community, clearing this first phase is well-deserved — but there is still much work to be done.”

Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.