The Indiana Pacers will throw open the doors for FanJam this Sunday, October 4, the free annual event that doubles as the franchise's public season kickoff. Head coach Rick Carlisle announced the date, but there is a catch this year: the location itself is still up in the air, tied directly to how far the Indiana Fever advance in the WNBA playoffs.
Two Venues, One Decision Tied to the Fever
As reported by WISH-TV, FanJam will land at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis if the Fever have been eliminated from the WNBA playoffs by Sunday. But if the Fever are still alive in the postseason and need the arena for a game of their own, the Pacers event shifts north to the Noblesville Boom's home facility instead. The scheduling squeeze underscores just how much both franchises lean on the same downtown arena during the fall crossover between WNBA playoffs and NBA preseason.
The stakes of that decision are significant given the size difference between the two buildings. Gainbridge Fieldhouse seats roughly 17,274 fans for basketball and just wrapped a multi-phase $400 million renovation in 2022, according to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Noblesville alternative, Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile, holds about 3,400 — over five times smaller.
What the Noblesville Backup Venue Looks Like
Riverview Health Arena opened in August 2025 as a purpose-built, $40 million, 122,000-square-foot home for the Pacers' NBA G League affiliate, per Wikipedia. That affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, previously played under the names Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Indiana Mad Ants before Pacers Sports & Entertainment struck a relocation deal with the City of Noblesville to bring the team closer to Indianapolis. The venue also secured a 10-year naming rights deal with Riverview Health in March 2026, the same source notes.
Wherever it lands, FanJam keeps its identity as a free, family-oriented event featuring live team activities, player appearances, and fan-friendly entertainment, according to WISH-TV's report. Carlisle has in recent seasons shifted the scrimmage format itself, structuring it as a competitive 20-minute Blue versus White intrasquad game rather than an informal walkthrough — a change the coach introduced to test rotation lineups with game-like intensity, according to Sports Illustrated.
Rookie Talent Show and Charity Free Throws
Once the scrimmage wraps, FanJam's most beloved tradition takes over: the Rookie Talent Show, where first-year players and staff members perform songs on court in costumes chosen by team veterans. Past editions have featured rookies dressed as Buzz Lightyear, Luigi, and Donald Duck belting out pop hits, the outlet's earlier reporting shows.
Attendees also get a shot — literally — at the Pacers' home court, with fans able to shoot free throws for a $1 cash donation that benefits the Pacers Foundation, which funds youth development and community grants across Indiana. Gainbridge Fieldhouse's event listing confirms the charitable format has become a fixture of the day.
Free Tickets, Giveaways, and Entry Rules
Admission remains free, but fans need to reserve mobile tickets online ahead of time, with a cap of six tickets per person, per WTHR. The first 5,000 fans through the doors traditionally receive a complimentary Pacers t-shirt and a concession voucher good for a hot dog, chips, and a soft drink.
If the event does take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, attendees can park for free in the connected Virginia Avenue Parking Garage. The arena also operates as a cashless venue for concessions and retail, and enforces a bag policy limiting purses and small clutches to 6 by 9 by 1.5 inches.
The Fever's own postseason push has already made headlines this season, including a sellout trip to Barclays Center. Whether that run keeps going into October will ultimately decide which Indiana city hosts the Pacers' season kickoff this weekend.
