Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis hosted the smallest Super bowl since 2006 with an attendance figure of just 68,658 when the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday. The attendance at the game ranks this year's contest among the lowest attended of the past 20 years.
However, Lucas Oil Stadium doesn't hold nearly the capacity of Cowboys Stadium, the site of last year's Super Bowl, which saw 103,000+ fans attend the game.
Despite the crowd size at the game, Super Bowl festivities leading up to the game saw a record number of visitors. More than a million visitors stopped by the Super Bowl Village and a record 265,000+ saw the NFL Experience (an indoor interactive exhibit), according to a report (via Boston.com).
The city of Indianapolis and the venue both were praised by attendees, fans and journalists alike. If the numbers work out, Indianapolis could be included in the rotation of Super Bowl sites. The earliest the city could bid on another Super Bowl is for the 2017 season.
For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.