Super Bowl site gets ready for big game

Updated: Wednesday, 11 Jan 2012, 7:57 AM CST
Published : Wednesday, 11 Jan 2012, 7:55 AM CST

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - Preparations are well underway at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis to get ready for Super Bowl XLVI.

And those helping to prepare for the big day are using what they learned from past mistakes to make this the best game day experience yet for fans.

You'll remember last year at Cowboys Stadium several thousand seats did not pass inspection at the last minute and some fans didn't get to see the game.

Following the Super Bowl in North Texas NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to fans who were inconvenienced and pledged they will do better in the future

So this year they are limiting the number of temporary seats that will be added to the stadium. The end result will have fewer fans on hand than attend a Packers game.

"I know our number of temporary seats is greatly reduced over what our original plan was," said Mike Fox, Lucas Oil Stadium director.

Outside Lucas Oil Stadium, construction got underway last week to set the stage for security, media and pre-game entertainment in the parking lot.

"It looks a certain way for a regular season game but when you show up for the Super Bowl because of all the security and all the décor that goes into it the stadium looks a lot different and the ways you get around the stadium are a lot different," said Fox.

And to tackle those long lines that many fans encountered last year in Texas, Lucas Oil Stadium will have hundreds of local volunteers to help greet and seat fans quickly.

"The NFL has brought in Disney to train the people it is a really really big effort on their part and they've spent a lot of money," said Fox. "It really takes a lot of planning to put together a stadium for the Super Bowl."

Outside the stadium fans should be ready when it comes to parking. Lucas Oil Stadium is in downtown Indy with not a lot of parking like at Cowboys Stadium, so fans will have to plan ahead.

Tonight on Fox 11 News at Nine, Mark Leland will have more details from Indianapolis about the changes from last year to this year and how those who get to go will benefit.