From the field to the food, Colts fans can expect changes at Lucas Oil Stadium

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts fans are just days away from returning to Lucas Oil Stadium for meaningful Colts football.

It’s been nearly 250 days since the Colts season ended in disappointment against the Houston Texans, and now that very same division foe is back in Indy to kick off the season.

As fans return to Lucas Oil on Sunday, they might notice a few changes.

Right as they walk into Lucas Oil Plaza, a huge horseshoe DJ stage has been brought in for DJ GNO right next to it is the anvil. The pregame tradition involves a famous Colts fan slamming a hammer into the anvil to get fans ready to cheer on their team.

”We really wanted to give fans a chance to touch and feel some of those traditions and unique moments,” said Stephanie Pemberton, the vice president of marketing for the Colts.

Pemberton said a big focus of the offseason was finding more ways to get fans involved in and outside of the stadium.

One of the best Sunday traditions is back. The pregame tailgate party, Touchdown Town will have family activities, the 40-yard dash and the very popular three-dollar bud lights.

During Touchdown Town, the new Colts drumline “Herd” will make its grand debut. The drumline will move around the tailgate and the stadium before the game entertaining fans.

As fans enter the stadium, they’ll notice a few new aspects, the largest among them being the new field.

Lucas Oil Stadium Director Eric Neuburger said it’s state of the art and made of organic material like coconut husk and cork.

”The turf plays much more like a grass field than an artificial turf, but it is an artificial turf,” Neuburger said. “It is noticeable in a good way and we’ve gotten really great feedback from everyone who’s stepped foot on it.”

If the field looks a bit brighter and sharper than years past, Neuburger said that’s because it is.

”The fibers, the grass blades, are a little bit smaller in this material than what we’ve had in the past,” he said. “It really looks sharp, the colors really pop.”

Hungry fans will also notice about 10 new food items at concession stands, along with some classics from one of Indy’s most well-known chefs.

”This is my ultimate grilled cheese sandwich,” said FOX Master Chef Kelsey Murphy. ”We’ve got four different types of cheeses. We’ve got gruyere, fontina, we’ve got Swiss and American cheese for that good melty taste. Some really sweet crispy ham and then a mustard blend that adds that little bit of bite to it.”

It’s Kelsey’s third year working with the Colts to provide a modern look at classic stadium foods. You can find her takes on the grilled cheese, Cuban sandwich, chicken wings, loaded tater tots and siracha mac and cheese throughout the stadium.

Looking to the sky, with good weather this Sunday the roof should be open. A mechanical issue in the preseason caused the roof to not open when it was supposed to but FOX59/CBS4 has been told that has been resolved.

“It was a small input, output part that failed, as you might be familiar with, what happens from time to time,” Neuburger said. “And we’ve been opening the roof every day since just to exercise it and make sure everything is working great.”

Fans will also be treated to a big milestone for one Colts legend. Dwight Freeney will be honored at the game and get his Hall of Fame Honor Ring.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 59.