Indy mayor on Super Bowl bid: 'Let's do it again'

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indianapolis will bid to host the 2018 Super Bowl, city and state officials announced Wednesday morning.

"Let's do it again," Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said during a news conference.

The city hosted Super Bowl XLVI in February, and Indianapolis is now ready to go for it again.

Various cities can bid for a chance to host any Super Bowl. It doesn't guarantee the city will host the big game that year. Seattle has discussed the possibility of trying to bid for a Super Bowl, and 2018 has been discussed as one of the more likely options.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim irsay said Indianapolis "unquestionably proved" its ability to successfully host a Super Bowl.

"It was really said this was just the finest one that had ever been hosted," Irsay said.

Irsay and Ballard were also joined by Gov. Mitch Daniels at Wednesday morning's announcement.

The city will submit its bid early in 2014. Team owners will decide the 2018 game's location in May 2014.

Competition between cities is expected to be fierce. Irsay said by 2018, the Vikings and the 49ers should both have new stadiums. Both team cities will be want to land a Super Bowl of their own. Irsay also said he expects competition from Houston as that city looks to host its second Super Bowl. Then there are the warm weather cities like Tampa and Miami that are always in the hunt to land another big game.

"It's tough when the vote is going down. You're nervous but we are optimistic. Our mentality is we are going to get one," Irsay said.