Carlie Irsay-Gordon is officially taking the wheel for the Indianapolis Colts and she has a major plan for the fans. The new CEO wants to make sure every single person at the stadium has a blast.
She recently sat down on The Pat McAfee Show to talk about her vision for the future. She knows that some people only care about the scoreboard while others want a family party.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon
Carlie Irsay-Gordon speaks with media Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, during a press conference held at the Indianapolis Colts practice facility. Irsay-Gordon, the co-owner and CEO of the Colts, addressed questions about the team retaining head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard.
The goal is to use new technology to understand what different groups of people actually like. This helps the team create special moments for kids and casual fans who attend the home games.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon explained her strategy bysaying, “And making sure in a non-creepy way that we are understanding what our fans want and what those different groups want.” She wants results.
The team is moving away from old methods and leaning into digital media to track fan habits. They want to know if you are there for the food or the hard hitting football.
By using performance marketing, the Colts can send the right messages to the right people. This means families might get alerts about kid zones while diehard fans get stats and highlights.
The owner believes that twenty years of experience in the family business prepared her for this moment. She is not just guessing what people want because she has seen the industry change.
Fresh energy from Carlie Irsay-Gordon and the front office
The shift in leadership comes at a time when NFL ticket prices are higher than ever before. Fans expect more than just a seat and a cold drink when they enter the building.
The team is focusing on everything from better parking options to high quality food vendors. They want the stadium to feel like a destination for everyone in the city of Indianapolis.
Beyond the bright lights of the stadium the team is also looking at how they connect with the community. They are hosting more local events to keep the energy high all year.
This new approach helps the team build a loyal following that stays through the wins and the losses. It is about creating a culture that feels welcoming to people of all types.
Irsay-Gordon noted, “I think there is a way we can kind of serve each one of those groups so make sure that they are having an amazing time and an amazing experience.”
The Colts are proving that they listen to the people who pay for the tickets. This strategy will likely set a new standard for how NFL teams treat their loyal fan bases.