Yahoo Sports 
The Big Ten will keep its championship game in Indianapolis through 2021
The Big Ten announced Thursday that its conference championship game will remain in Indianapolis through 2021 following a unanimous vote from league presidents and chancellors.
Since expanding to 12 and now 14 teams, the league’s championship game has been held at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Additionally, the league announced its basketball tournament will alternate between Indianapolis and Chicago.
"The Big Ten Conference and member institutions are excited to return to Chicago and Indianapolis for future football championship games and basketball tournaments," said Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany. "These two cities have been tremendous hosts and partners with first-class facilities and an outstanding base of Big Ten alumni and fans who support conference events. We are proud of the history that we have developed with these two great cities and look forward to maintaining a significant presence in both locations."
The Big Ten’s original agreement to play the football championship in Indianapolis began in 2011 and will now ensure that the game stays in Indianapolis for a decade.
“In building a game and building a brand, consistency – especially in the early foundational years – is very important to us,” Delany said, per the Indianapolis Star. “We’re not trying to put the football game in a unique environment. We’re looking at putting a football game in a football stadium where the variables are controlled, so the experience is consistent.”
Last year’s game between Michigan State and Ohio State brought the game 66,002 fans – its highest attendance yet.
- - - - - - -
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
