AFC champion Patriots arrive in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - One of the two contenders for the Super Bowl XLVI title - the AFC champion New England Patriots - arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon. Their rivals, the NFC champion New York Giants, are expected to arrive Monday.

About 25,000 fans sent the Patriots off in style in Foxborough, Mass., with a rally Sunday morning at Gillette Stadium, their home turf. Players high-fived fans as they left to fly to Indy.

"We wish we could take all of you guys to Indy with us," said Tom Brady, who will tie the record for quarterbacks with his fifth Super Bowl start. "Hopefully we'll have a lot more people at our party next weekend."

The Indianapolis International Airport issued a warm welcome to the AFC champs via Twitter, including a picture of the team exciting their plane:

@ INDairport welcomes @ NewEnglandPatriots ! twitter.com/INDairport/sta…

— Indianapolis Airport (@INDairport) January 29, 2012

The Patriots will be practicing at the Colts complex, and the New York Giants will practice at the University of Indianapolis.

• Hoosier hospitality? Read what Patriots coach Bill Belichick had to say about it .

The Pats weren't the only NFL notables who arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday. Former Colts coach - and Super Bowl winner - Tony Dungy was in town and tweeting about it, too.

Just got to Indianapolis. Had to check out the Zip Line! twitter.com/TonyDungy/stat…

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 29, 2012

That zip line has proved to be one of the hottest attractions in the Super Bowl Village. Tickets have been selling out early, and the wait in line has stretched for hours. To get a virtual experience of the flight, though, you can take a look via 24-Hour News 8 Sports Director Anthony "AC" Calhoun's helmet cam as he zips down the wire.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.