The Indiana state capital of Indianapolis lies in the center of the state and is easily its largest city with a population nearing 800,000 as of 2006. As a Rust Belt city, the Indianapolis economy relied on manufacturing for much of its history, but in the 1990s and 2000s it also became known as a hotbed for hosting sporting events.

The Indianapolis 500 has always been a huge international draw for the city nicknamed "The Racing Capital of the World," but with the rise of its NFL football team (the Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI) and with many college sporting events calling Indianapolis home, the hospitality industry has contributed to the city's steady growth.