(
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, August 18, 2022) – Families visiting The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will soon be able to kick it with Indy Eleven, which is proud to announce a new partnership with the world-renowned museum.
As part of a multi-year long-term partnership, Indy Eleven has exclusive and primary branding rights for the soccer portion of the popular Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, which features hands-on and interactive activities included in The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ 7.5-acre outdoor sports activity park. The space will now be referred to as the Indy Eleven Soccer Experience, effective immediately.
“The ability to work with a world-class partner in The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will benefit Indy Eleven in so many ways,” said Indy Eleven President & CEO Greg Stremlaw. “Soccer’s massive popularity with children and families makes this a perfect opportunity for Indy Eleven to associate our brand with the sport to museum visitors on a local, national, and even international level. We are also proud to design the partnership in a way where together we can give back to our community through camps and other opportunities that will make the sport more accessible for area children.”
In the coming weeks, Indy Eleven and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will update branding aspects to include the club’s iconic crest and other marks on exhibit signage, the playing surface of the outdoor mini-pitch, and equipment. Once a timeline for these updates to the exhibit is established, Indy Eleven and The Children’s Museum will announce details on an “re-opening ceremony” for the updated space, expected to take place in early fall.
“We are excited to offer more options for families to learn from the pros,” said Jennifer Pace Robinson. “Health and fitness are so important for developing children who are often inspired by athletes and teams around the state. Having Indy Eleven players and coaches visit the museum and interact with families will be a wonderful experience for all to enjoy and will create amazing memories along the way.”
The mini-pitch area features ample practice space and multiple goals of varying sizes where kids can learn soccer fundamentals and work on dribbling, passing, and shooting skills as they get one step closer to becoming the next stars of the Boys and Girls in Blue! As part of Indy Eleven’s activation of the field, Indiana’s Team will host a minimum of one youth soccer camp on the mini-pitch every summer and numerous player appearances throughout the teams’ United Soccer League (USL) seasons.
The partnership also includes a year-round presence inside the world’s largest children’s museum, including Indy Eleven game-worn and other commemorative memorabilia being displayed in the Sports Experience’s locker room exhibit area, where it will sit proudly alongside items from other popular sports teams from across the Hoosier State. In addition, Indy Eleven merchandise, including items featuring the team’s loveable English Mastiff mascot Zeke, will be made available for purchase inside The Children Museum of Indianapolis Store.
The partnership will also feature cross-promotional opportunities, including exclusive offers for general and special event admission at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Indy Eleven games held at IUPUI Carroll Stadium – and eventually at Eleven Park upon its projected opening in 2025.
The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience is an immersive learning experience that allows children and families to participate in health and fitness activities through sports as they are inspired by some of the greatest athletes of all time. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis partnered with experts from Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health, which operates the only nationally ranked children’s hospital in Indiana, to bring this experience to life. For more information about Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience or The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, visit www.childrensmuseum.org/sports-experience and www.childrensmuseum.org respectively.
About Indy Eleven Professional Soccer
Since its launch on January 16, 2013, Indy Eleven’s mission – “To win championships with and for the community” – has stayed true to its aim of fielding a team that represents the State of Indiana proudly on and off the field. The 2022 season will mark Indy Eleven’s ninth year of play overall and fifth season in the United Soccer League Championship, a 27-team professional soccer league based across the United States. In May 2022, Indy Eleven’s entrant into the USL W League began play in the new women’s pre-professional league by hosting the league’s Inaugural Match in front of a sold out crowd at the Grand Park Events Center in Westfield. In January 2017, Indy Eleven submitted a bid for an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer (MLS), the First Division of pro soccer in the United States and Canada as recognized by U.S. Soccer. indyeleven.com
About The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children’s Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Instagram @childrensmuseum, YouTube.com/IndyTCM, and Facebook.
###
