• Loading stock data...
Sunday, December 1, 2024

The U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Is Set. The Big Winner? NFL Stadiums

  • Swimming trials at the Colts’ stadium in Indianapolis attracted nearly 300,000 fans.
  • SoFi Stadium, home for two NFL teams, will host swimming events for the 2028 Games.
The Indianapolis Star

One of the seemingly most unlikely marriages in sports may now be a staple for fans in the U.S. moving forward: swimming in NFL stadiums.

The 2024 U.S. Olympic swimming team trials drew a record attendance of 285,000 fans across 17 sessions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The nine-day event utilized the home of the NFL’s Colts in an unprecedented move. The previous attendance mark for the swimming trials was just under 200,000 at an arena in Omaha.

Following the success in Indianapolis, organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics announced that swimming events for those Summer Games would take place at SoFi Stadium—the $5 billion venue that is home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers. 

Lucas Oil Stadium’s swimming capacity was 30,000, but the largest crowd during the trials was 22,209, on Wednesday evening last week. SoFi Stadium will be able to fit 38,000 fans—the most ever for Olympic swimming—as athletes from all around the world battle in the water for gold medals.

NFL Swimming Tour?

USA Swimming selected Indianapolis to host this summer’s swimming trials as part of a bidding process that included several other cities. There will be another bid cycle for future Olympic trials, including 2028.

Patrick Talty, the president of local organizing body Indiana Sports Corp, previously told Front Office Sports that Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium will be interested in trying to host again. Given the hype around the developing trend, it won’t be surprising to see other cities with covered NFL stadiums raise their hand, too.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chiefs-Texans Game on Peacock Will Feature Madden Alt-Cast

The broadcast will include Madden staples like player ratings and route trees.
Bluesky and Twitter

Why Bluesky Is Not a Serious Threat to Sports Twitter

Bluesky recently hit 23 million total users. That doesn’t touch X/Twitter.

NBA Passes on Thanksgiving Games, Eyes Black Friday Spotlight

The NBA hasn’t played on Thanksgiving since 2010.
Nov 24, 2011; College Station, TX, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage during a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and Texas Longhorns in the third quarter at Kyle Field.

High Stakes and Record Ticket Prices for Texas–Texas A&M

The get-in price for Saturday’s game is more than $500.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Happy Thanksgiving From FOS Today

0:00

Featured Today

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.
November 29, 2024

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 29, 2024

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.
November 23, 2024

Can an Elite Women’s Soccer School Survive the New College Sports Moneyball?

Santa Clara faces an uphill battle in the new college sports landscape.

Bears $4.7B Dome Plan Takes Hit After Deal With Chicago Suburb

The Bears and Arlington Heights resolved a longstanding tax dispute.
November 21, 2024

Rays $1.3B Ballpark Plans Stalled by Bond Delays, Hurricane Fallout

St. Petersburg officials vote to delay bonds for a new ballpark.
November 26, 2024

Rays Facing Schedule Shake-Up, Outdoor Adjustments, Political Drama

The schedule shifts look to address the vagaries of Florida’s summer weather.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Tampa Bay Rays
November 19, 2024

Rays Tampa Future in Doubt as County Commission Delays Bond Vote

The planned $1.3 billion ballpark now falls into further question.
November 19, 2024

Royals Ballpark Plans Expand to Kansas Amid Unsettled TV Future

Deals could be struck in the coming weeks on both the club’s local media rights and a future stadium.
November 19, 2024

RFK Stadium Bill Advances Out of Senate Committee

Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. are potential future homes for the Commanders.
Roof of AT&T Stadium
November 19, 2024

Even the Cowboys’ Stadium Is Falling Apart

“The wind got in there and exacerbated the looseness,” Jerry Jones said.