The sound of pads popping and cleats chewing up grass will be familiar sounds at Grand Park Sports Complex when the 2022 Colts Training Camp kicks off July 27.
Both the Indianapolis Colts and the City of Westfield are anticipating a camp that will resemble camps prior to the pandemic. The expectation is that fans will once again be able to interact with the players on a more personal level.
In short, fans should prepare for a heavy dose of high-fives and lots of autographs.
“We’re a family run business and a smaller market city, and we love being able to be that close with our fans on a day-to-day basis,” Colts Vice Chair/owner Kalen Jackson said. “We really missed that during COVID (and) so we’re really excited to have that (level of interaction) back.”
This will be the fourth year the Colts have conducted training camp in Westfield. Through the years, the Colts have conducted training camp at Anderson University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute and the Colts Complex at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
One of the main reasons the team chose to relocate to Grand Park four years ago was the opportunity to better bond with fans.
For Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, the strength of the relationship between the team and the city has only increased through the years.
“I can’t overstate the importance of our partnership with the Colts,” Cook stated in a press release. “To host the annual training camp at Grand Park brings an energy and excitement to the city, our businesses, residents and many visitors. Colts Training Camp is always a celebration, and we are ready to roll out another ‘Westfield Welcome’ to our team and Colts Nation.”
Fans can look forward to 16 practices, all of which will be open to the public. Practices will be held on weekdays and weekends, with an evening practice from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 30. The majority of practices are noon to either 1:30 p.m. or 1:45 p.m.
Joint practices with the Detroit Lions will take place Aug. 17 and 18. Times listed are noon to 1:55 p.m. Aug. 17 and noon to 1:35 p.m. Aug. 18.
Pracictic on Aug. 25, the final day of camp, will be from 10 to 11:20 a.m.
Jackson has fond memories of attending training camps as a young girl with her father, Colts owner/CEO Jim Irsay.
“My mom sent us with (my dad), and I’m up, I don’t even know, it’s dark out and I’m 2 1/2 (years old) and I have a Sprite in hand and I’m nowhere near bedtime,” Jackson said. “The memories are really strong.”
Fans this year are asked to drop off new or gently used books at Colts Community collection stations at Grand Park. The books will be donated to youth who are placed in foster care.
For more on Colts Camp, including ticket information, visit colts.com/events/trainingcamp/.
Theme days
Colts City and various theme days will return to Indianapolis Colts training camp this year.
Colts City will have photo opportunities with cheerleaders, Colts inflatables, a social tent and the Colts Pro Shop. The attraction also includes the Colts Play 60 Field, which will let kids participate in drills, a 40-yard dash and punt returns.
Theme days include Kids Day July 28, Back Together Saturday July 30, Salute to Service Day Aug. 3 and Fan Appreciation Day Aug. 17.
