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Championship game day in Bloomington: Updates here

WFIU | By WFIU/WTIU News
Published January 19, 2026 at 9:54 AM EST
Merchandise commemorating IU as national champions in boxes at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Bloomington.
Merchandise celebrating a possible national championship at Academy Sports in Bloomington.

Bloomington is preparing for what might be the biggest game in the history of IU athletics — the college football national championship game against Miami, which could finish a 16-0 season for the Hoosiers.

11:07 p.m. Less than two minutes on the clock.

10:53 p.m.

10:45 p.m.

10 p.m.

7:20 p.m. (10 minutes to kickoff!)

7:00 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

3:50 p.m.

3:40 p.m.

3:35 p.m.

3 p.m.

2:35 p.m.

2 p.m.

1:35 p.m.

A Hawkeye gets behind the Hoosiers.

1:30 p.m.

12:15 p.m.

noon

Academy Sports + Outdoors in Bloomington released a photo of merchandise in boxes for an IU national championship.

If the Hoosiers win, the Bloomington store at 123 S. Kingston Drive will be open immediately after the game to sell items such as shirts and hats.

11:50 a.m.

The website Ticketdata, which monitors asking prices on the secondary market, reports the lowest-priced ticket remaining is $3,549. That reflects a slight dip in the market on gameday.

Keith Pagello, founder of the site, said the game will be one of the top three most expensive college football games ever.

"This is close to a perfect storm," Pagello said. "You have a very enthusiastic, well traveling Indiana fan base, combined with the game effectively being a home game for Miami. That combination creates unusually strong demand on both sides."

11:30 a.m.

A Bloomington Kroger.

10:30 a.m.

Sid, a senior at IU, said he arrived outside of Nick's at 10:15 p.m. Sunday.

"We're in the natty," he said. "That's insane."

Some would say lining up overnight in 10-degree temperatures to watch a game on television is insane.

"There's a reason we've been here since 10:30," he said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm glad we're here to do it."

Overnight

The Upstairs Pub on Kirkwood Avenue posted on X around midnight, asking people not to camp out for a place in line before doors open at 11 a.m. for the 7:30 p.m. game.

"While we understand and appreciate the undeniable excitement for tomorrow’s National Championship game, we do ask that people put their safety first this evening," the post said. "Tonight's temps are going to be dangerously cold over-night."

The post asked people not to line up until 7 a.m., but said it was probably futile.

"Understanding that some might not heed this request, we are going to ask that those who might stay, do not block the city's sidewalks as it creates a hazard for pedestrians," the post said.
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