Blue Crew puts out call for parking help - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A popular tailgating spot for Colts fans is in danger of shutting down.

The Blue Crew tailgate lot needs to fill its allotment of parking spaces to stay in their current location, just east of Lucas Oil Stadium. More than 400 spaces are available in the Blue Crew lot.

"We've sold about 150 spots right now. It's kind of slow this year. I think people just need to get fired up," said Blue Crew organizer Randy Collins. "We're a little behind right now, but I encourage everybody, hey, football season is two months away, and it's a great place to tailgate."

The Blue Crew needs to sell the parking spaces to keep their spot.

"We sign a contract for all these spots, so we do need to get them sold. It's an awesome place to tailgate," Collins said.

The Blue Crew tailgate has been a tradition before Colts games for more than eight years. Collins says there is security on the lot and the space is for fans who want to celebrate long before the game kicks off.

"It's like a tent city in here. It's not some place you just want to park and walk to the game. Five hours before the game it opens up and just have fun," Collins said.

The spaces are available for anyone to purchase. There is information on the Blue Crew's website for anyone interested.

The struggle by the Blue Crew is just one sign that fan interest in the Colts may be waning. But veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney is confident the team's new lineup will score big with fans.

"We are going to try our hardest to bring the morale up of the city, but that is going to happen when it happens," Freeney said at his annual football camp for children Wednesday.

For the first time in more than a decade, it's open season on Colts season tickets. Available seats in and parking spaces in the Blue Crew lot may be an indicator fan support has fumbled.

But there are a number of new faces that fans will still need to get used to. Eyewitness News showed pictures of some of the new players, asking them to identify the team's newest members.

"No, I don't recognize him. I don't recognize him either, no," said Margie Johnson.

Getting to know the players who will call Lucas Oil Stadium home is not only key to the success of the team, but also the player-fan relationship.

"It's really important that they focus on the team and the transition that we are in and celebrate that," said marketing expert Karen Alter, sharing her advice for the team.

Whether it's selling more parking spots or game tickets, for a new team, it's a celebration worth starting.