Indianapolis declines to host the AFC Championship Game as requested by the NFL

Indianapolis, Indiana – The National Football League apparently asked the City of Indianapolis to host the AFC Championship game later in January, but the city reportedly declined.

Due to scheduling issues, the City has decided not to host the NFL’s last game, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal. The Indy convention center already has a full schedule, according to city authorities.

According to the IBJ, league officials questioned Indianapolis Colts management earlier this week about hosting the game on either January 28 or 29. After a Week 17 game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was postponed, the request was made.

According to IBJ, the city already has an event scheduled to take place at the potential venue, Lucas Oil Stadium. This, officials said, would make it “nearly impossible” for the NFL to host a game there.

The Central Zone Invitational, a national volleyball competition held by Capitol Sports Center, is anticipated to draw as many as 30,000 people to downtown, according to the IBJ.

The City also anticipates a peak hotel room occupancy of more than 7,000 rooms or almost every room in downtown Indianapolis.

The IBJ claims that officials in Indianapolis and staff from Visit Indy attempted to accommodate both events but were unable.

“After the NFL reached out to the Colts to explore the possibility of Indy hosting the AFC Championship as a neutral site, the Capital Improvement Board and Visit Indy quickly touched base with … Capitol Sports Volleyball, which has grown each and every year it has been in the city,” Chris Gahl, executive vice president of Visit Indy, said to the IBJ. “With 30,000 volleyball players, families and fans coming in to spend the same weekend for the event [as the championship game], based on timing, that event had to stay in place as it was.”

The annual volleyball competition has grown in size in recent years. According to the IBJ, the Central Zone Invitational is predicted to have a $10.7 million economic impact this year.