AFCA Convention 2027: 14-16 February, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. The world's largest gathering of American football coaches.
Dates
14–16 Feb 2027
City / country
Indianapolis, United States
Venue
Indiana Convention Center
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Event overview
The AFCA Convention is the annual meeting of the American Football Coaches Association and the largest gathering of American football coaches in the world. The 2027 edition runs 14-16 February at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, moving the show from its long-standing January slot.
Coaches from high school, college and professional programmes walk the exhibit hall for equipment, apparel, training technology, field maintenance products and programme services, while the convention programme covers on-field strategy, staff leadership and player development. Exhibiting puts a supplier in front of buyers who specify and recommend products for entire programmes, often in short, repeated conversations across three days.
TL;DR
One trip covers the equipment, apparel and technology catalogues of the entire football market, plus coaching education sessions that draw staff from every level of the game. Nothing else in American football puts this many programme decision makers in one hall.
Coaches arrive already looking for what their programme needs next season, and they recommend purchases up the chain. A booth buys three days of face-to-face product evaluation with the people who sign off on programme spend.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
100 South Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46225, USA
Use the garage entrances on Capitol Avenue or Maryland Street; arrive before 08:00 on session mornings.
Step-free entry from Capitol Avenue; lifts serve all hall levels and accessible restrooms are on each concourse.
Food options
Convention centre concessions
On-site diningParking: Connected parking garages serve the convention centre; the Capitol Avenue and Maryland Street garages are closest to the exhibit halls.
Gate: Enter from Capitol Avenue at the main convention centre entrance and follow AFCA signage to registration.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Collect badges at the registration desk in the convention centre lobby; photo ID required.
Ticket notes
Convention registration is required; AFCA member and non-member rates are published with the registration form.
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
This edition
2027
Visitors: 7,000
Exhibitors: 300
Next edition
2028
AFCA has not yet announced the dates or city of the 2028 convention. The 2027 move to a February Indianapolis slot is expected to set the pattern for the following edition.
February timing retained
Impact
A three-day window in which the people who choose helmets, uniforms, video systems and field equipment for entire programmes are in one hall. For a supplier, the value is concentrated: few visitors, but almost all of them influence or hold a programme budget.
Audience quality
The audience is narrow and senior. Head coaches, coordinators and athletic directors attend to restock and to compare, and most arrive with a specific purchase in mind. Volume is lower than a consumer show; decision density is far higher.
Exhibitor outcomes
Best returns come from booked meetings plus a demonstration that a coach can repeat to an assistant. Budget for three days of staffing, a working demo and a follow-up sequence inside two weeks, when programme budgets for the coming season are still open.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
American football's coaching economy runs through one annual buying moment: the AFCA Convention. Decisions on helmets, apparel, video and analytics, turf care and recruiting software are made by coaches who attend with a programme budget and a short list. A February Indianapolis edition sits at the start of the off-season buying window, giving suppliers a clean shot at decision makers before spring practice.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Wearables move from novelty to staffing decision
Helmet sensors and player-load monitors are now bought by athletics departments rather than individual coaches, which lengthens the sales cycle but raises deal size.
What it changes: Suppliers need a programme-level pitch and data-security answers.
Video and analytics consolidate into one platform
Coaches increasingly want one system for practice capture, grading and opponent scouting instead of three disconnected tools.
What it changes: Integrations and export quality are now the differentiator in the hall.
Apparel deals shift to multi-year programme contracts
Team uniform buying is moving from one-off orders to multi-season agreements with service-level terms.
What it changes: Booth conversations are about contract terms, not unit price.
AFCA is the anchor buying moment; the surrounding shows cover recruiting, performance and the wider team-sports market.
Winter buying window
Off-season budgets are set between January and March.
Circuit dates outside AFCA are indicative planning guidance.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Indianapolis International Airport
Closest airport to downtown; direct routes from most US hubs.
13 miles
to venue
20-25 minutes
by car
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Alternative for international arrivals with a connecting drive or flight.
185 miles
to venue
3 hours by road
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 95–140 / night
Walkable to the convention centre; book early in a convention week.
USD 160–230 / night
Connected or one block from the venue.
USD 260–380 / night
Suite and club-level options for meetings.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Airport shuttle or rideshare
Rideshare pickup is on the terminal departures level.
Public bus
IndyGo services run to the transit centre near the venue.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor | Visitors who require a US visa | $185.00 | Several weeks to months |
Visa Waiver Program nationals may travel under ESTA; check eligibility before booking.
A carnet does not replace a US business visa.
Official visa pageWeather
February is cold: daytime highs near 4 C and overnight lows below freezing, with occasional snow. Bring a warm coat and allow extra time for transport.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
The convention centre offers Wi-Fi in public areas; mobile data is reliable across downtown.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping
18-20 per cent is standard for table service.
Dress
Smart casual, often team-branded, is normal at the convention.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: IND
Book three to six weeks ahead; convention week lifts downtown hotel prices more than airfares.
US visa or ESTA depending on nationality.
Estimated cost: USD 185 for a B-1 visa
Processing: Weeks to months
Check ESTA eligibility before booking.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Rideshare or taxi, 20-25 minutes
Hotel → venue: Most downtown hotels are a 5-15 minute walk
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate across the city
Public transit: IndyGo buses serve the transit centre two blocks from the venue
Parking: Connected garages on Capitol Avenue and Maryland Street
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February
Temperature: -4 C to 4 C
Seasonality: Occasional snow and rain; cold all three days.
Packing: Warm coat, layers and waterproof footwear.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2
The hall is fully staffed and senior coaches have settled into meetings, while programme sessions still run.
Book flights and hotel — Downtown hotels fill in convention week.
Register and download the show planner — Build a shortlist of exhibitors.
Request meetings with key suppliers — Ask for demo times.
Print badge confirmation and plan sessions — Check the programme for clashes.
Travel and collect badge — Registration desk opens before the hall.
Registration and badge collection
Convention centre lobbyOpening session and programme overview
Main session roomSupplier meetings on the exhibit floor
Exhibit hallCoaching clinic block
Session roomsNetworking reception
Exhibit hall loungeIndianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Motorsport Museum
20 minutes from downtown
Historic race cars and track tours.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Museum
10 minutes walk from downtown
Strong collection in White River State Park.
Exhibit hall lounge
On-site
Coffee between sessions; easiest place to meet coaches.
Wholesale District bars and steakhouses
Downtown
Walkable from the convention centre.
Coaches decide on programme purchases in the weeks after the convention, so speed matters more than volume.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 450–650 / m²
Raw space
USD 300–450 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
AFCA publishes a space cost per booth in the exhibitor package; figures here are planning estimates in USD.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · 9 sqm shell
USD 4050–5850 / per booth
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | 9 sqm shell | USD 4050–5850 / per booth | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six questions to see whether the AFCA Convention is worth a visit, a booth, or neither.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What best describes your position?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a programme need and can travel to Indianapolis for two or three days.
Best for
Coaches and staff who need to compare products and attend sessions
Min. budget
$800.00
Timeline
2-4 weeks before the show
Risks
Downtown hotel rates spike in convention week
Session clashes with booked meetings
exhibit
You have a product coaches can evaluate in person and staff to follow up.
Best for
Suppliers selling equipment, apparel or technology into football programmes
Min. budget
$6,000.00
Timeline
4-6 months before the show
Risks
Space near high-traffic aisles sells out
Staffing three days is costly
skip
Your product does not serve football programmes and you cannot commit to follow-up.
Best for
Vendors with no football-specific offer or no US sales plan
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing a concentrated buying window
Book with
Indiana Convention Center
Downtown Indianapolis venue hosting the 2027 exhibit hall and sessions.
Official venue website.
Indianapolis Airport Authority
Runs Indianapolis International Airport (IND), the main arrival point.
Official airport authority site.
Indy Chamber
Regional business chamber supporting visiting companies and investors.
Official chamber site.
American Football Coaches Association
The association that owns and runs the convention.
Organiser website.
Recommended providers
Check B-1 visa or ESTA eligibility before booking.
Exhibitors can join the AFCA housing block; downtown hotels are walkable.
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Direct routes from most US hubs; one stop for international arrivals.
Official service contractor for material handling and furniture.
Your broker
Exhibitors must carry liability insurance; confirm certificate requirements.
Local guides to museums, speedway and downtown districts.
Badge scanning at booth
Confirm scanner access with AFCA; export leads as CSV.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
1
Publishers
3
Date checked
American Football Coaches Association
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
