INDIANAPOLIS – A community-based decision has been made for Indianapolis to enter the NFL’s bid process for Super Bowl LII in 2018. The 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee board of directors unanimously voted to pursue Super Bowl LII earlier this week after gathering input from community partners.

“The collaboration that went into the 2012 Super Bowl and the success of the event has generated tremendous community support to pursue the 2018 event,” said Allison Melangton, Indiana Sports Corp president and formerly the president/CEO of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee. “After doing our due diligence on the 2018 bid landscape, the Super Bowl Host Committee board has enthusiastically decided to move forward with a 2018 bid.”

As the first step in the process, the NFL was officially notified today of Indianapolis’ intent to bid. The NFL will review the list of cities that have officially submitted their candidacy in the coming months. In October, the NFL will announce a shortened list of finalists that will be invited to formally bid. The bid includes an in-depth response to the requirements for the event and a presentation at the May 2014 NFL Owners Meeting. The 32 NFL owners will vote on the host city for the 2018 Super Bowl at that meeting in May 2014.

Melangton will chair the 2018 Super Bowl Bid Committee board of directors throughout the community’s bid to host Super Bowl LII. Indiana Sports Corp will lead the bid effort. Mark Miles, the chair of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, will join Governor Mike Pence, Mayor Greg Ballard and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Bid Committee.

The 2018 Super Bowl Bid Committee officers also include Vice-Chair Cathy Langham (President, Langham Logistics), Vice-Chair David Lewis (Vice President of Global Taxes / Assistant Treasurer, Eli Lilly & Company), Treasurer Derrick Burks (Managing Partner, Ernst and Young), and Secretary Rafael Sanchez (Partner, Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP).

For 10 days in early 2012, Indianapolis welcomed the world to a community-wide celebration leading into Super Bowl XLVI. Fans reveled in unprecedented activities capped by an exciting game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on February 5. The Giants won Super Bowl XLVI, 21-17.

“From 1.1 million people enjoying the Super Bowl Village to youth initiatives that reached all 92 Indiana counties to the operational success in and around Lucas Oil Stadium, we exceeded our goals for Super Bowl XLVI,” said Miles, chair of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. “As the effort moves forward with the 2018 Super Bowl bid, I have every confidence that it will once again be a community-based endeavor with ideas and excitement coming from throughout our great state.”

The economic impact study for Super Bowl XLVI, researched and completed by Rockport Analytics, concluded that the Indianapolis metro area experienced a significant economic boost as a result of 10 days of visitor activity. The report highlights include total gross expenditures of $384 million, resulting in a direct economic impact from Super Bowl XLVI of $176 million. It also is impressive that estimated Super Bowl-related spending that originated from outside of the Indianapolis metro area was estimated at $342 million. Approximately 84 cents of every dollar spent for Super Bowl XLVI was retained in Indianapolis. Total tax receipts came in at $88.6 million, including $24.9 million at the state level and $21 million at the local level.

“Super Bowl XLVI was a monumental success from the international spotlight to the economic benefits throughout the state,” said Governor Pence. “We’ve shown multiple times that Indiana can hold world-class sporting events and we look forward to the chance to host a Super Bowl for a second time.”

“We’ve been able to quantify the economic returns from Super Bowl XLVI, but what excites many of us about a potential Super Bowl LII in Indianapolis is the heightened civic pride, opportunities to brand our city on an international stage, and the ability to leverage the excitement of the Super Bowl to continue to do great things in our community,” said Mayor Ballard.

“The Indianapolis Colts are fully behind this bid to bring the Super Bowl back to Indianapolis in 2018,” said Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. “The 2012 Super Bowl was an overwhelming success, and our franchise is ready to assist as our community prepares another quality bid to host the NFL’s biggest celebration.”

Future Super Bowl host cities already determined include Super Bowl XLVIII in New York/New Jersey (2014), Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix/Glendale (2015), Super Bowl L in San Francisco/Santa Clara (2016), and Super Bowl LI in Houston (2017).