Shaded Seats at Lucas Oil Stadium

Lucas Oil Stadium, located in the heart of Indianapolis, is primarily the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Beyond NFL games, Lucas Oil Stadium hosts a variety of events, including basketball tournaments, conventions, concerts, and even swimming! Known for its retractable roof and movable window wall, it offers a flexible environment that can adapt to Indiana’s variable weather. When the roof is open it’s incredibly useful for fans to know where to find the best shaded seats at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at Lucas Oil Stadium?

When the roof is open, you’ll find shaded seats at Lucas Oil Stadium:

• South End Zone: Shaded throughout the day
• West Sideline: Shaded on the Colts home side later in the day

And sunny seats at Lucas Oil Stadium are mainly:

• North End Zone: Sunny early in the afternoon
• East Sideline: Sun soaked later in the afternoon

Colts games typically kick off at 1:00 p.m., occasionally in the late afternoon, and sometimes after sunset for NFL Sunday Night or Monday Night games. Concerts and other special events are often scheduled in the later afternoon or evening. For specific details about shaded sections at different start times, please continue reading.

Lucas Oil Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Lucas Oil Stadium is oriented northeast to southwest. By noon, the sun is high in the sky behind the east (visitor’s) sideline. Over the course of the afternoon, it curves around the south end zone and eventually sets behind the west (home) sideline. This configuration means the only universal “shade side” is behind the south end zone. Early in the day, sections on the west sideline receive a splash of sun, and later in the day, those seats become shaded as sections on the east sideline get some rays.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on September 1st.

Click or tap to see a seating chart for the next event at Lucas Oil Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Lucas Oil Stadium Events

Lucas Oil Stadium has one of the most unique architectures among NFL stadiums. Its boxy exterior, made primarily of brick, gives it an industrial appearance similar to historic warehouses. The retractable roof is composed of two large panels that slide over the sidelines to expose the field to the open air. While a large number of seats are situated under the non-retractable portion of the roof, street-level seats, in particular, are potentially in the path of the sun’s rays.

No matter the time of day, your best chance to find a seat in the shade is behind the south end zone. Sections 124-129 and 223-230 are positioned such that early in the day, fans will have the sun at their back and shade provided by the stadium structure behind them.

On the sidelines, sections closer to the south end zone are more likely to be shaded than those closer to the north end zone. For shade, prefer street-level sections like 139-140, 113-118, 235-240, and 213-218. If you’re okay with nosebleed seats, the terrace-level 500 and 600 sections should be safe from the sun on both sides. These seats are high enough and far enough from the field that they are protected by the non-retractable section of the roof.

Sections at risk of sun exposure are situated on the north side of the stadium. Early in the game, sideline sections 141-148 and 241-249 are most likely to get a splash of sun. By the middle of the game, the end zone sections 101-103, 151-153, 401-403, and 450-453 will move into the path of the sun. And toward the conclusion of the game, fans in sideline sections 105-112 and 204-212 may get a blast of sunshine.

Seats at greatest risk of sun exposure are behind the north end zone. Seats behind the south end zone and southern half of the sidelines are shaded.
Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening Lucas Oil Stadium Events

It’s relatively easy to find shade for an evening game, even when the roof is open. The key is to focus on the south and west (home) sides of the stadium. Depending on the exact start time, some seats behind the north end zone, in sections 101-103, 151-153, 401-403, and 450-453, may get a splash of sun. The same goes for seats in the northeast corner of the stadium like 105-113 and 204-213. Seats in upper levels may be protected by the non-retractable portion of the roof above, but the safe bet for shade is on the west (home) side of the stadium. By evening, every seat on the west side is safely shaded.

Ready to Get Your Colts Tickets?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Lucas Oil Stadium.