My son and I traveled to Indianapolis to watch Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever play against the Connecticut Sun. We were thrilled to get to see her in action on her home court. And, my son really wanted her autograph.
First, I loved trying to get autographs from my favorite athletes as a kid, so I really wanted to help make my son’s dream come true. And, how cool is it that a 10-year-old boy really wants Caitlin Clark’s autograph? I love what she’s doing for women’s basketball and women’s sports!
Mission: Get Caitlin Clark’s autograph at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Accepted!
Here’s how we did it, and how your kid(s) can too.
IMPORTANT: This is a guide for kids. It’s not a guide for collectors or adults trying to get her autograph to sell it. Caitlin goes out of her way to sign for kids, so please do your part and let the kids enjoy the moment!
DISCLAIMER: The below guide and tips worked for us in August 2024. This could change, but this at least gives you an idea of what to expect.
How My Son Got Caitlin Clark’s Autograph at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Here’s what we did on game day to get Caitlin’s autograph. Timing is based on a 7:00pm tip off. There’s a map in the next section.
Go early to Gainbridge to confirm times. We walked in at about 12:00pm and the game didn’t start until 7:00pm. We’d heard we could enter about an hour before tip-off, but when we asked the (amazingly kind and helpful) staff member at the east entrance he said we should come back by 3:30pm.
Enter Gainbridge Fieldhouse by 3:30pm. At that point, there weren’t any lines to go through security (metal detectors), so we walked in and waited at the roped off area on the far left.
Helpful Tips: Use the bathroom before you go through the metal detectors. There’s a toilet in the Gainbridge Pacers/Fever team store, but it’s outside the Fieldhouse, so you’ll need to go back through the metal detectors. Also, you can’t bring water bottles in (even empty). We had some water in the afternoon and then got some before the game started. At this point, you should also have what you need for the game (your phone with your tickets on them, a cashless payment method (credit card or Apple Pay, etc). Make sure you read Gainbridge Fieldhouse’s rules on the official site so you know what you can and can’t bring in.
Claim your spot by a ticket scanner. At a certain point (around 4:00pm on our visit), the ticket ushers will set up about 10 ticket scanners along the roped off area. Make sure you’re at the front of a line with a ticket scanner. We actually moved one scanner to the right so we could be first through the ropes.
Just before 5:30pm, kindly ask your ticket usher if he’ll scan your tickets so you can go as soon as the ropes drop. If not, don’t worry, you’ll be fine.
When the ticket usher opens the ropes, scan your tickets (if you haven’t already) and walk briskly to the left. Go up the stairs and walk to Sections 2/3.
At Sections 2/3, a staff member will be there to limit the number of people going down to the court. Walk down and stand behind the Fever bench or next to the tunnel railing. Don’t stress if the staff member makes you wait. Groups of 8-10 fans will be allowed down at a time. My son walked down and stood behind the bench and I stood along the railing to the tunnel.
Good To Know: If you’re standing in someone’s seating area, you’ll need to move so they can sit. This didn’t happen while we were there, but know it’s a possibility.
Wait patiently and enjoy the warmups!
Helpful Tip: Remind your child that he/she needs to ‘keep his/her spot.’ My son got pushed out of the way but a kind father and security guard helped him get his spot back. Thanks!
When Caitlin Clark finishes her stretching and warmups, she’ll walk back through the tunnel. Remember to ask nicely for her autograph and thank her too!
When you’ve got her autograph, head back up the steps and make your way to your seat. Enjoy the game and congrats on getting the autograph of a superstar basketball player and fabulous person!
Map for Kids Who Want to Get Caitlin Clark’s Autograph at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Here’s my hand drawn, not-to-scale map of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. You’ll enter in the lower left, walk through the metal detectors, wait at the roped off area, then walk to Sections 2/3, go down the steps, and wait behind the Fever bench or along the lower part of the tunnel railing of Section 3.
Tips for Getting Caitlin Clark’s Autograph at Gainbridge
- Bring a permanent marker with you, just in case. She used our marker that we bought at the nearby CVS.
- Have something to get autographed. Sounds like silly advice, but if you want to get a t-shirt or jersey autographed, bring it with you or head to the Gainbridge team store before you enter and wait in line.
- Carry what you want autographed (vs. wearing it). If you’ve got a t-shirt in your hand, you can stick it out closer to her (even between other people). Or, you can lower it down from the railing of the tunnel. If you’re wearing the shirt, you may not be able to move close enough.
- Go to Gainbridge earlier in the day to ask staff about getting an autograph for your child. Double check where you should wait in line or head to once you’ve entered.
- Get there by 3:30 pm and wait at the roped off area on the left. That way, you’re closer to the entrance of section 2/3.
- Enjoy watching the warmups! It’s a nice opportunity to see the players up close, especially if your seats are further away from the court. My son’s comment, “Wow, I had no idea Aaliyah Boston is so tall!” He loved seeing the players up close, and most of them said hello to the enthusiastic gaggle of kids behind the bench on their way to or from warmups.
- If your child isn’t able to get an autograph from Caitlin, you can try again at another game. I’ve seen her sign autographs for kids before every game I’ve been at (here in Indiana, in Seattle, and in Chicago). Or, he/she may be able to get an autograph from one of the other players (many of them stopped to give autographs when we were there).
Caitlin Clark, you’ll probably never read this, but I’m just throwing it out into the universe… THANK YOU! My son is so pumped to have your autograph and to have seen you play live (me too)! He wants to frame the shirt with your autograph and hang it up in his room. Go Fever!
I hope this helps your kid(s) get Caitlin Clark’s autograph at Gainbridge! Have an amazing time at the game and look for us in the crowd next summer!
Read more about
Going to an Indiana Fever Game with Kids
Going to a Chicago Sky Game with Kids