Indiana Fever unveil plans for state-of-the-art performance center

2024 cemented the city of Indianapolis as the capital of the women's sports world. By 2027, the Indiana Fever plan to push that monicker even further.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced Thursday that the Indiana Fever will receive their very own state-of-the-art training center, with a planned opening before the 2027 WNBA season. The $78 million project will break ground in August 2025.

The Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center will be located at the corner of Alabama and Maryland streets in downtown Indianapolis, replacing what once was the Marion County Jail. The 108,000-square-foot facility will feature two full-size basketball courts, a strength and conditioning area, and a full kitchen.

“This elite training center is a reflection of our organization’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our players have the highest level of resources to be successful,” said Indiana Fever President Kelly Krauskopf. “As we look to the future, the focus of creating a first-class player experience designed exclusively for women athletes will set us apart.”

To ensure that this facility pushes the boundaries for future facilities intended exclusively for female athletes, the center will also have a childcare area on site so athletes who are mothers can make sure their children are taken care of-- as well as a nail and hair salon so they can treat themselves as well.

Other amenities include a yoga and Pilates area, spa-like retreat, sauna, float tank, and several hydrotherapy pools. In addition, the two courts will be situated next to a large set of window-- meaning players can work out in natural light.

The Indiana Fever are now the fifth WNBA franchise with its own dedicated practice facility or plans to build one, joining the Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and Chicago Sky (currently under construction). The Los Angeles Sparks announced in November that their own practice facility is coming, but no further details regarding a timeline have been announced.

“With the goal of Indianapolis becoming the epicenter of women’s sports, this world-class sports performance center will be the preeminent place for players to train, recover and push their boundaries,” said CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment Mel Raines. “It’s a game changer in terms of providing the ultimate player experience and we can’t wait for our team to reap the benefits of having an exclusive and unparalleled facility designed specifically for them.”