Is Gainbridge Fieldhouse superior to Market Square Arena?

Now: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (1999-present)

The current facility opened in 1999 to replace Market Square. Nearly 25 years later, Gainbridge is host to not only the Indiana Pacers but also the Fever of the WNBA. Recently, Gainbridge hosted the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

The first regular season game at Gainbridge saw the Pacers host the Boston Celtics. The Pacers would go on to win the Eastern Conference Finals that season. However, the Pacers fell short of winning a title as they lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Indiana Fever also made it to the WNBA Finals in 2009. They would lose the series against the Phoenix Mercury. Just three years later, the Fever returned to the same stage and won their first and only WNBA title against the Minnesota Lynx.

The 2002 FIBA World Championship had a number of their games played here including the finals and semi-finals. The NCAA has also used this building for games during March Madness in 2017, 2021 and 2021, as well as recently in 2024.

"The only arena I've ever been in NBA-wise, where I honestly felt like it felt different was the Indiana one, because they built it for basketball only."

- Sportswriter Bill Simmons (2022)

According to the Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily Reader Survey, Conseco Fieldhouse was ranked the No. 1 venue in the NBA in back-to-back years (2005 and 2006). Renamed Gainbridge in 2021, it has entertained more than Market Square per basketball contest with 17,000 to 18,000 seats.

While the history is continuing for the Gainbridge, Market Square held perhaps some bigger moments. For loyalists, certain fans may still prefer the original venue. But for the current fan or spectator, Gainbridge is superior as more and more magic is being made by both the Pacers and Fever.