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Hammerin’ the B1G: 5 host sites I want to see if the B1G Championship leaves Indy
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Welcome to talking season in the Big Ten! We are just days away from turning the calendar to August and being one step closer to real football as the B1G descends on media days in Indianapolis.
This season ushers in a brand-new look for the sport as a whole with 4 teams from the West Coast heading to the B1G. It lends itself to some expectations but also to plenty of questions for the future.
One of those questions relates to the future outlook for the B1G Championship Game. Traditionally played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the game will remain in Indy for 4 more seasons, but the site beyond that is up in the air.
While commissioner Tony Petitti did not reveal anything concrete at the podium, he did admit it is likely the footprint of future B1G Championships will change and evolve. Translation? “Go West, young man.”
There are some other options around the Midwest and a few on the East Coast that deserve recognition if the B1G decides to adopt a revolving model. But make no mistake about it.
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Any change to the host site for the league’s title game is likely to be with the West Coast newcomers in mind and the Los Angeles market in particular. So, with that in mind, allow me to offer up 5 host sites I’d like to see if the B1G adopts a rotating model for future host sites.
5. MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
If the goal of the B1G Championship is to pack out capacity, MetLife Stadium fits the bill. The home of the New York Giants and New York Jets has a capacity of 82,500, and the B1G could pack it to the gills with rabid fans.
The proximity to New York City provides a destination site for those interested in attending. And obviously the media market would be perfect, never mind the fact the B1G has shown it will head to New York City with the men’s basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden.
The B1G has been vocal about being the “coast-to-coast” conference with its 3 broadcast networks and ties to most of the major markets in America. MetLife Stadium would be a testament to that stature with a title game just outside New York City.
The problem? MetLife is an open-roof venue in the Northeast. That poses problems for an early December title game.
4. US Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, Minnesota
Geographically, Minneapolis is another Midwest site with some desirability, mainly the existence of US Bank Stadium as the home of the Vikings. Unlike MetLife, US Bank Stadium has a roof, and it’s one of the new wave of first-class venues throughout the NFL.
Only Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas) and SoFi Stadium (Inglewood/Los Angeles) are newer than US Bank Stadium which opened in 2016. More on some of those venues in a bit.
Minneapolis would always be unlikely to be a regular host site in my mind. But if the B1G adopts a rotating site model, I could see it being added to the rotation.
3. SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, California
The next 2 venues on this list are no-brainers, and SoFi has it all. Proximity to the West Coast newcomers, and specifically to LA-based schools of USC and UCLA.
It is among the newest stadiums in the country after opening in 2020, and it was quickly integrated into the mix for the biggest events in the world.
SoFi Stadium has already hosted Super Bowl LVI and will re-host the Super Bowl in 2027. It hosted the CFP National Championship to conclude the 2022 season, and SoFi is slated to host games for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
SoFi has it all, now it just needs to add B1G football.
2. Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas, Nevada
Allegiant and SoFi Stadium are the 2 venues on this list to open in 2020, and both have all the bells and whistles fans could want for a top-notch experience. The draw for Allegiant just has an extra component for fans.
Viva, Las Vegas!
Technically, Vegas is outside of the B1G’s geographic footprint if you go by cities and/or states. However, the proximity to California and Los Angeles is undeniable, meaning it is not hard to make it fit as a potential host site.
For a first-rate stadium experience and destination host site, Allegiant would have it all.
1. Rose Bowl — Pasadena, California
Where else? I mean c’mon, you knew this was coming, right?
If the B1G is ever leaving Indianapolis, and you are looking for a host site to better accommodate the West Coast, there is only one choice. This is it.
The Rose Bowl stands alone as the pinnacle venue in college football, and the venue already holds a special place in the hearts of B1G fans and the newcomers alike. This would present a perfect marriage between the West Coast and the Midwest entering the new era of the B1G and college football as a whole.
While I would expect a more in-depth rotation in the future, an ideal setup for the B1G Championship Game might just be rotating the Rose Bowl and Lucas Oil Stadium every other season.
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Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.