| INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 4, 2026) – Sports reporters estimated that 75% of the fans in the stands at the College Football Playoff National Championship were cheering for the Hoosiers. And data from the Indianapolis Airport Authority helps support that estimate.
Airline tallies shared with the IAA show that specialty flights to the championship game were packed with cream and crimson.
Frontier Airlines, which does not have a standing flight to Miami out of Indianapolis but added two flights for the IU/Miami game, reported that their Jan. 17 specialty game flight was at 71% capacity and the Jan. 18 flight was at 98%.
Similarly, Southwest Airlines reported that its 12 additional flights added specifically for the big game flew more than 1,800 fans to Miami.
Delta Air Lines said its four specialty flights for the game were “booked to very strong levels,” and attributed the loaded flights to “strong demand from IU fans.”
“When you look at how many Hoosiers filled the stands in Miami, it’s clear those extra flights really mattered,” said Maggie Cunningham, IAA director of air service and airport experience. “Our airlines stepped up in a big way, and it helped thousands of fans get there to be part of something historic and very special. That’s what we are always working toward — making it easier for our community to be when and where they want for the moments that matter the most.”
A Winning Team is Good for the Economy
Along with packed flights, the Indy airport also saw high numbers in other ways.
The IU pop-up shop in the terminal earned record-breaking revenues. Initially scheduled to be open from Jan. 14 – 21, high demand called for extending the pop-up shop operation for two additional days – generating approximately $245,000 in all.
Prior activations have hit between $40,000 to $62,000 in far longer spans of time, averaging about $3,000 to $6,000 per day. The IU pop-up shop hit the $245,000 total in only 11 days, averaging $22,000 in sales per day.
“That number is a new record for the Indy airport,” said Marsha Wurster, IAA senior director of commercial enterprise. “To ensure Hoosier Hospitality, it was important to us that Hoosiers were outfitted appropriately and had quick access to championship merch as soon as they landed home. Many of our airport employees also took advantage of the available gear in the terminal for themselves and friends and family.”
IU fan devotion carried over to the airport’s valet parking as well, citing Jan. 20, 2026, as the busiest valet-parking return day on record. The airport’s valet parking is operated by local business Denison Parking.
“More than 700 vehicle returns were recorded for the day,” said Wurster. “By comparison, we average 225 valet exits per day. We experienced 530 returns the day after IU won the Rose Bowl, which was our previous record. Before that, the last Sunday of Fall Break 2025 had just shy of 500 returns.”
To give IU fans a proper send-off to the game, airlines partnered with the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to create a festive feeling in the terminal. Airlines decorated their ticket counters and gate areas with IU decor, and a few provided tailgate themes with snack carts and football-themed giveaways.
The Indy airport also decked out Civic Plaza with IU cream and crimson graphics and had plenty of photo opportunities for fans. To enhance the winning atmosphere, the Indy airport also featured music from IU alumni, including a DJ spinning pump-up jams, and a pop-up piano and tuba performance of the IU fight song with TikTok sensation Andy Morris.
“All of these numbers reinforce that Hoosiers traveled to see their favorite team in this historic moment,” said Wurster. “It was the airport’s job to provide an award-winning airport experience fitting of the milestone.” |
