Indianapolis Colts: History, Stadium, Players & 2026 Season

The Indianapolis Colts are a well-known NFL team with a long history in American football. The franchise started in Baltimore in 1953 before moving to Indianapolis in 1984. Since the move, the Colts have become an important part of Indianapolis sports and have built a strong fan base across Indiana.

The Colts play in the National Football League as part of the AFC South. The team plays its home games at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. The stadium is also one of the most familiar sports venues in the city.

The team’s football and business operations are based at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. This is where the Colts handle many of their daily team activities and prepare for the NFL season.

Over the years, several famous players have helped shape the Colts. Johnny Unitas was one of the biggest names from the team’s early years. Decades later, Peyton Manning became the face of another important era for the franchise. Both quarterbacks played a major role in the Colts’ history.

The Colts have also reached the top of the NFL. The team won its first Super Bowl championship in the 1970 season. The franchise added another Super Bowl title after the 2006 season, giving Colts fans another memorable championship moment.

The 2026 season brings a new chapter for the organization. Carlie Irsay-Gordon serves as the team’s Owner and CEO. Chris Ballard continues as general manager, while Shane Steichen remains the head coach.

The Colts entered the 2026 season with a mix of experienced NFL players and younger talent. That combination gives the team a roster with both experience and fresh energy as it continues through another NFL season.

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Indianapolis Colts History

Baltimore Colts: The Beginning

The story of the Indianapolis Colts did not actually start in Indianapolis. The franchise began in Baltimore in 1953, where the team played as the Baltimore Colts. The club’s early years helped create the foundation for what would later become one of the NFL’s most recognized franchises.

The Colts were formed after Carroll Rosenbloom purchased the assets of the former Dallas Texans franchise. The new Baltimore team quickly became part of the NFL and started building a strong football identity.

The early Colts were not an overnight success. They struggled during their first season, but the organization soon began adding important players and building a much stronger team.

A major turning point came with the arrival of head coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas. Together with players such as Raymond Berry, Lenny Moore, Gino Marchetti, Artie Donovan and Jim Parker, they helped turn Baltimore into a serious NFL contender.

1953 Foundation

The Colts’ first season was about more than wins and losses. It was the beginning of a franchise that would later produce championship teams and some of the most famous players in NFL history.

Baltimore slowly developed a team built around strong defense, smart coaching and a growing passing game. When Johnny Unitas joined the Colts in 1956, the team’s future began to change.

Unitas became the central figure of the Colts’ first great era. His ability to control the offense, make difficult throws and stay calm in important moments made him one of the league’s most important quarterbacks.

Johnny Unitas Era

Johnny Unitas became the face of the Baltimore Colts during the late 1950s and 1960s. He was not simply a quarterback who put up numbers. He became the player trusted to lead the offense when the game was on the line.

His first full seasons with Baltimore showed his ability. In 1957, he passed for 2,550 yards and 24 touchdowns. The following season, he helped take the Colts to the NFL Championship Game.

Unitas was supported by a talented group around him. Raymond Berry gave the passing game a reliable target, while Lenny Moore provided big plays as a runner and receiver. The defense also featured stars such as Gino Marchetti and Artie Donovan.

That group created one of the most memorable teams of the era.

1958 Championship

The 1958 NFL Championship Game became one of the biggest moments in Colts history.

Baltimore faced the New York Giants in a game that went into overtime. With the Colts trailing 17-14 late in the fourth quarter, Unitas led a long drive that helped set up a game-tying field goal.

The game became the first NFL championship contest to go to overtime. In overtime, Unitas helped move the Colts down the field before Alan Ameche scored the winning touchdown. Baltimore won 23-17.

The game later became widely known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” It also helped bring more national attention to professional football. The large television audience gave the sport a major boost, while Unitas became a national star.

For Colts fans, it was the start of a championship tradition.

1959 Championship

The Colts did not stop after winning the 1958 title.

In the 1959 NFL Championship Game, Baltimore again faced the New York Giants. This time, the Colts produced a more comfortable result, winning 31-16.

Unitas was named the league’s MVP for the 1959 season, and Baltimore again showed that the previous year’s championship was not a one-season success.

The back-to-back championships gave the Colts a strong place in NFL history. The team had a quarterback capable of leading big games, talented players around him and a defense that could compete with the league’s best teams.

1968 Season

The Colts remained a strong team through much of the 1960s. Under head coach Don Shula, who replaced Weeb Ewbank in 1963, Baltimore won the NFL Western Conference in 1964 and again in 1968.

The 1968 season was another major year for the franchise. Baltimore finished the regular season with a strong record and reached the NFL Championship Game before moving on to Super Bowl III.

The Colts entered that Super Bowl as a highly regarded team, but the game ended in a major upset. The New York Jets defeated Baltimore 16-7, preventing the Colts from adding another championship that season.

Even with that loss, the 1968 season remains an important part of Colts history. It showed the strength of the Baltimore team and set up another important chapter for the franchise in the years that followed.

1970 Super Bowl V

The Colts entered the 1970 season with a new challenge. The NFL and American Football League had completed their merger, and Baltimore became part of the new American Football Conference (AFC).

The Colts quickly showed that they could compete in the new setup. They finished the regular season with an 11-2-1 record, won the AFC Eastern Division and then defeated Cincinnati and Oakland in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl V.

On January 17, 1971, Baltimore faced the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V in Miami.

It was a very different type of Super Bowl. The game was filled with turnovers and mistakes from both teams. Baltimore eventually won 16-13 when kicker Jim O’Brien made a 32-yard field goal with only five seconds left.

The victory gave the Colts their first Super Bowl championship and their fourth major league title. It was also the first Super Bowl win for a team from the AFC.

The Colts Move to Indianapolis

The next major chapter came in 1984.

The Colts had spent more than 30 years in Baltimore, but the relationship between the team and the city had become difficult. Team owner Robert Irsay was looking for a new stadium situation, while Baltimore wanted to keep the franchise.

On March 28, 1984, the Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis. The move happened overnight, with moving trucks arriving in Baltimore and taking the team’s equipment to Indianapolis.

Indianapolis quickly welcomed the NFL team. The Colts began playing at the Hoosier Dome, later known as the RCA Dome. Their first regular-season game as the Indianapolis Colts came against the New York Jets on September 2, 1984.

The team lost that game, but one week later Indianapolis recorded its first win after the move, beating the Houston Oilers 35-21.

The move gave Indianapolis a permanent NFL team, but the early years were not easy.

Difficult Years in Indianapolis

The Colts struggled to find consistency during much of the 1980s and early 1990s.

The team went 2-14 in 1981 and finished the strike-shortened 1982 season without a win, going 0-8-1. In 1983, Baltimore improved to 7-9 before the franchise moved to Indianapolis the following year.

There were also major quarterback problems.

In the 1983 draft, the Colts selected John Elway with the first overall pick. However, Elway did not want to play for Baltimore, and the Colts traded him to Denver six days later. Indianapolis received offensive lineman Chris Hinton, quarterback Mark Herrmann and a future first-round pick in the deal.

After arriving in Indianapolis, the franchise went through many starting quarterbacks. That lack of stability became one of the team’s biggest problems before the arrival of Peyton Manning.

Eric Dickerson Arrives

One of the brightest moments of the late 1980s came with Eric Dickerson.

Indianapolis acquired the star running back in a major trade on October 31, 1987. Dickerson immediately became one of the most important players on the team.

In 1988, he rushed for 1,659 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the NFL in rushing. He also helped the Colts reach a 9-7 record that season.

Dickerson gave Indianapolis a powerful running game during a period when the franchise was still trying to establish itself. His time with the Colts was not very long, but his impact was significant.

Jim Harbaugh and a New Direction

The Colts continued searching for stability in the early 1990s. Quarterbacks came and went, while the team struggled to build a consistent contender.

That began to change in the middle of the decade.

Jim Harbaugh joined Indianapolis in 1994 and became an important part of the team’s turnaround. In the 1995 season, Harbaugh helped the Colts reach the AFC Championship Game.

The Colts came extremely close to reaching the Super Bowl that year. Their playoff run ended with a narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the season gave Indianapolis fans something they had not seen for a long time: a team capable of competing deep into January.

Harbaugh later earned the nickname “Captain Comeback” for his ability to lead late-game drives.

The Jim Irsay Era

Robert Irsay owned the Colts from 1972 until his death in January 1997. His son, Jim Irsay, then became the team’s owner.

Jim Irsay had been connected with the Colts for years before becoming owner. He worked in different areas of the organization and became the youngest general manager in NFL history when the franchise arrived in Indianapolis in 1984.

His ownership would later become closely linked with one of the greatest periods in Colts history.

The first major step came in 1997, when Irsay hired Bill Polian to lead the football operation. Polian became a key figure in building the roster that would dominate the AFC in the following decade.

But the biggest change came one year later.

Peyton Manning Arrives in 1998

The Colts held the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. On April 18, Indianapolis selected Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning.

The decision changed the direction of the franchise.

Before Manning arrived, Indianapolis had used a long list of quarterbacks since moving from Baltimore. Manning immediately became the centerpiece of the team’s future.

He started as a rookie in 1998 and quickly became the face of the Colts.

Manning’s arrival also created a strong foundation for the years ahead. With Irsay leading the organization, Bill Polian building the roster and Manning leading the offense, Indianapolis was preparing for a new era.

That era would soon bring stars such as Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney, along with major success in the AFC.

The Colts had gone through difficult years after moving from Baltimore. By the end of the 1990s, however, the franchise had finally found the leadership and quarterback it needed for its next great chapter.

The Peyton Manning Era

Peyton Manning’s arrival changed the Indianapolis Colts in a major way. After being selected first overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, Manning quickly became the center of the team’s offense.

The Colts did not become a championship team overnight. Manning and the young Indianapolis roster had to grow together. By the early 2000s, the team had developed into one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses.

Manning had help from several outstanding players. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison became one of his favorite targets, while running back Edgerrin James gave the offense a strong ground game. Later, players such as Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark became important parts of the passing attack.

From 2000 through 2009, Indianapolis won 115 regular-season games, the most by any NFL team during that decade at the time. The Colts also reached the playoffs in seven straight seasons from 2002 through 2008.

That period made the Colts a regular part of the NFL’s biggest games.

Tony Dungy Takes Over

In 2002, the Colts hired Tony Dungy as head coach.

Dungy brought a calm and disciplined approach to Indianapolis. He also helped build a defense that could support Manning’s high-scoring offense.

During his seven seasons with the Colts, Dungy recorded an 85-27 regular-season record. He won six division titles and helped Indianapolis make the playoffs in every season from 2002 through 2008.

The biggest moment came in the 2006 season.

Super Bowl XLI

The Colts finished the 2006 regular season with a 12-4 record and entered the playoffs as one of the AFC’s top teams.

Indianapolis then won three playoff games to reach Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears.

The game was played in Miami on February 4, 2007. The Bears took an early lead, but the Colts gradually took control. Manning threw for 247 yards and one touchdown, while the Indianapolis defense forced important turnovers.

The Colts won 29-17.

It was the franchise’s first Super Bowl title since Super Bowl V and the first Super Bowl championship for Indianapolis since the team moved to the city.

The victory also made Dungy the first Black head coach to win a Super Bowl. Manning was named Super Bowl MVP.

For Colts fans, the championship completed a journey that had started almost a decade earlier when Manning was drafted first overall.

The 2009 Season

The Colts remained one of the NFL’s top teams after winning the Super Bowl.

In 2009, Indianapolis started the season with a long winning run and finished the regular season 14-2. It was a franchise record at the time, matching the club’s 14-win season from 2005.

The Colts reached Super Bowl XLIV after playoff wins over Baltimore and the New York Jets.

They faced the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl but lost 31-17.

Even without another championship, the 2009 season showed how strong the Manning-era Colts had become. Indianapolis had reached the Super Bowl twice in four seasons and remained a regular playoff team.

Manning’s final season with the Colts came in 2010. He finished his Indianapolis career with franchise records for passing yards, touchdowns, completions and starts. His No. 18 jersey was later retired by the team.

Andrew Luck Era

After the Manning era ended, the Colts needed another franchise quarterback.

They found one in the 2012 NFL Draft, selecting Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick.

Luck quickly gave Indianapolis another young quarterback to build around. He led the Colts to the playoffs in his first season and helped the team win the AFC South in 2013 and 2014.

The 2014 season was especially memorable. Indianapolis reached the AFC Championship Game, where the Colts lost to the New England Patriots.

Luck remained the team’s starting quarterback for several seasons, but injuries became a major problem. After missing the entire 2017 season because of a shoulder injury, he returned in 2018 and helped Indianapolis reach the playoffs again.

The Colts won a playoff game against Houston that season before losing to Kansas City.

Then, in August 2019, Luck announced his retirement from football at age 29. His decision came as a major surprise and forced Indianapolis to begin another quarterback search.

Frank Reich Period

Indianapolis hired Frank Reich as head coach in 2018.

Reich helped guide the Colts through the transition after Luck’s retirement. The team used several quarterbacks during this period, including Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan.

The Colts reached the playoffs in 2020 with Rivers at quarterback and finished that season with an 11-5 record.

However, the team struggled to find long-term stability at quarterback. Reich was dismissed during the 2022 season after Indianapolis went through another difficult stretch.

The Colts then began another rebuild.

A New Rebuild

In 2023, Indianapolis selected quarterback Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft and hired Shane Steichen as head coach.

Steichen brought an offensive background to the team. The Colts hoped Richardson could become the long-term answer at quarterback while young players developed around him.

Richardson’s early career was affected by injuries, which meant Indianapolis continued to face uncertainty at the position.

Steichen remained in charge as the Colts entered the 2024 season, with the organization trying to build a younger and more balanced roster.

2024 Season

The 2024 season ended with Indianapolis finishing 8-9.

The Colts remained competitive in several games but missed the playoffs. The season also included important development from younger players, while injuries continued to affect the roster.

The team entered the offseason knowing that the next step would require more consistency on both sides of the ball.

2025 Season

The Colts opened the 2025 season strongly.

Indianapolis reached an 8-2 record and had one of the NFL’s top offenses during the first part of the season. The team also added cornerback Sauce Gardner before the trade deadline.

However, the second half of the season went in a very different direction.

The Colts lost their final seven games and finished 8-9. Injuries to quarterback Daniel Jones, Gardner, DeForest Buckner and other key players made the closing weeks especially difficult.

The Colts finished third in the AFC South, behind the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.

Despite the late-season collapse, the organization decided to keep its football leadership in place.

2026 Season

The Colts entered 2026 with Chris Ballard returning as general manager and Shane Steichen returning as head coach. Ballard entered his 10th season in the general manager role, while Steichen began his fourth season as head coach.

The 2026 season began with two losses. Indianapolis lost 41-23 to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 and then fell 33-30 in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.

The Colts’ next game is a home matchup with the Houston Texans on September 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

For Indianapolis, 2026 is another important season in the club’s ongoing rebuild. The team has experienced veterans, young players and a coaching staff that has stayed together. The goal now is to turn that combination into more consistent results over a full NFL season.

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Indianapolis Colts Key Players & Club Legends

For the 2026 season, the Colts have several players who are expected to play important roles. Jonathan Taylor remains one of the team’s main offensive weapons at running back. He has been with Indianapolis since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The current roster also includes quarterback Daniel Jones, quarterback Anthony Richardson, wide receivers Keenan Allen, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, tight end Tyler Warren, and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson. On defense, players such as DeForest Buckner, Laiatu Latu, Grover Stewart and Charvarius Ward are part of the 2026 roster.

These players give Indianapolis a mix of experienced NFL veterans and younger talent as the team continues building its current roster.

Club Legends

The Colts’ history includes some of the biggest names in NFL football. Johnny Unitas is one of the most important figures from the Baltimore Colts era. He helped the team win championships in 1958, 1959 and 1970 and set numerous passing records during his career. His No. 19 jersey has been retired by the Colts.

Peyton Manning became the face of the Colts during the Indianapolis era. He spent 13 seasons with the team and led Indianapolis to its Super Bowl XLI championship. He also holds several Colts career records and was the first player from the Indianapolis era to have his jersey retired.

Marvin Harrison was another major part of that successful era. The Hall of Fame wide receiver finished his Colts career with 1,102 receptions, 14,580 receiving yards and 128 touchdowns. He also holds Indianapolis career records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Other notable Colts legends include Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Jeff Saturday and Dallas Clark. James, for example, remains the franchise’s career leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Important Colts Figures and Their Contribution

The Colts’ story was shaped by more than players. Bill Polian played a major front-office role during the team’s successful Indianapolis era. As president and later vice chairman, he helped build the roster and organization that won division titles, reached multiple Super Bowls and won Super Bowl XLI.

Tony Dungy also became an important part of Colts history as head coach. His leadership helped guide Indianapolis to its Super Bowl XLI championship.

Former owner Jim Irsay was another major figure in the modern Colts era. Under his ownership, the team won 10 division titles, reached two AFC Championships and won its fourth world championship. He also played a major role in bringing Super Bowl XLVI to Indianapolis.

Together, these players, coaches and club leaders helped create the history that continues to shape the Indianapolis Colts today.

2026 Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts started the 2026 NFL season looking to make a strong run in the AFC South. The team opened the season at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 13 against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Colts then traveled to Kansas City for a Sunday night matchup with the Chiefs. Indianapolis lost both of its first two games. The Colts fell 41-23 to Baltimore and then lost 33-30 to Kansas City in overtime.

Jonathan Taylor had a strong game against the Chiefs. He finished with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His performance was one of the main highlights for Indianapolis in the early part of the season.

The Colts’ schedule also brought a big AFC South matchup early. Indianapolis was set to host the Houston Texans on September 27. After that, the Colts were scheduled to travel to London for a game against the Washington Commanders on October 4. The international matchup was set for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Indianapolis Colts 2026 Schedule

The Colts have 17 regular-season games on the 2026 NFL schedule. AFC South games are an important part of the season, with Indianapolis facing Houston twice.

The first Colts-Texans meeting is scheduled for September 27 in Indianapolis. The teams are scheduled to meet again on November 19, when Indianapolis travels to Houston.

Indianapolis also has games against several other NFL teams during the season. Home opponents include the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Colts will also play road games against teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

The London game against Washington adds an international stop to the schedule. It gives Colts fans outside Indiana another chance to watch the team in person.

Colts Fans and Game-Day Culture

Colts football is a big part of sports life in Indianapolis. On game days, Lucas Oil Stadium fills with fans wearing the team’s blue and white.

The Colts also keep fans involved outside regular-season games. The team holds fan events, training camp activities and community programs during the year.

One of the team’s community events is the Colts 5K. Events like this give local fans another way to connect with the organization.

Fans can also use the official Colts mobile app to follow the team. The app provides team updates, schedules, ticket information and other game-day features. Digital tickets are also available through the app for games at Lucas Oil Stadium.

TV, Radio and Digital Coverage

Colts fans have several ways to follow the team during the 2026 season. Depending on the game, broadcasts are available through CBS, NBC, FOX, NFL Network and Prime Video.

The Week 3 matchup against the Houston Texans is scheduled to air on CBS.

Radio remains another popular option for Colts fans. Games can be heard in the Indianapolis area on 93.5 FM, 107.5 FM and 97.1 HANK FM.

Matt Taylor continues to serve as the Voice of the Colts. Radio coverage includes live game calls along with pregame and postgame shows.

Fans who prefer digital coverage can also follow Colts.com and the official Colts app for news, videos, audio, schedules and team updates. NFL+ is another option for eligible live local and primetime NFL games on supported devices.

What Comes Next for the Colts

The Colts are working with a roster that includes both veteran players and younger talent. Jonathan Taylor remains an important part of the offense, while players such as Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner bring years of NFL experience.

The AFC South games will be important throughout the season. Indianapolis has two games against Houston and also faces Jacksonville and Tennessee.

Those divisional matchups give the Colts several key games as the season moves along. Every result can affect the team’s position within the division.

For Indianapolis, the 2026 season is about more than one or two games. The team is looking to build consistency and develop a roster that can compete throughout the full NFL season.

Indianapolis Colts: A Look at the 2026 Season

The Colts have been part of the NFL for decades. The franchise has a long history that includes championship seasons, legendary players and memorable games.

Today, Indianapolis continues to call Lucas Oil Stadium home. The 2026 schedule gives Colts fans a mix of AFC South games, national matchups and an international game in London.

For fans in Indianapolis and Colts supporters around the country, following the team goes beyond watching on Sunday. The players, schedule, stadium, community events and team history all play a part in the Colts’ connection with their fans.

As the 2026 season continues, each game adds another chapter to the Indianapolis Colts story. Fans will be watching closely as the team works through its schedule and looks to make its mark in the AFC South.

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