Super Bowl XLVI in downtown Indianapolis. file photo

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard says the city's hosting of Super Bowl XLVI earlier this year was a big success, and he's hungry for more. 

“Let’s do it again,” Ballard said during a press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium announcing a new Super Bowl bid.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay admits landing a second Super Bowl won't be easy.  Competition from other cities is stiff for Super Bowl LII – or 52 – in 2018.  The Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers will both have new stadiums by then, and those teams are expected to bid as well. 

“The competition is fierce. I think we want to use the momentum that we have,” Irsay said. “We’re optimistic. Our mentality is that we are going to get one.”

Indianapolis will have plenty of time to organize. Bids are not due to the National Football League until early 2014.

The 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee has about $1.8 million in seed money left over to put towards a start of a new bid.

The driving force for a second Super Bowl is the economic impact seen by the Indianapolis metro area from the championship game. A study by Rockport Analytics released during Wedneday’s press conference showed total gross expenditures of $384 million, resulting in a direct economic impact of $176 million. Super Bowl-related spending that originated from outside of the Indianapolis metro area was estimated at $342 million.

“In addition to a huge win for the city, the citizens of Indiana benefited by more than $20 million collected in state tax revenue, a host of good business leads, and a huge dose of pride in the positive way it reflected on our whole state,” Governor Mitch Daniels said.

The study found about 84 cents of every dollar spent for Super Bowl XLVI was retained in Indianapolis.

LINKS:

Reports: Indy To Make Another Super Bowl Bid