Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic

Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Who says New Year's Eve has to start after dark? The Indiana Pacers are bringing NBA basketball to the afternoon, with the Orlando Magic visiting Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Forget spending the whole day watching the clock. You can be downtown, surrounded by Pacers fans, with a real game unfolding before the evening celebrations even begin.

There's a special rhythm to basketball played in person. You watch a possession build, hear the sneakers cut across the floor and feel the anticipation when Indiana finds an opening. Against Orlando, Indiana has to work for every opening, and the next defensive adjustment or run of baskets can change the whole afternoon. From the stands, the pauses matter too: a tight sequence, a timeout, fans comparing what they just saw before the game speeds up again. It's a completely different experience from glancing at a score between errands. And when you cheer for the Pacers inside their own arena, you're sharing that feeling with a room full of people on your side.

Make the afternoon the first highlight of your New Year's Eve. Invite the friend who always talks NBA, take family downtown or use the game as the start of a full day out. You can leave with a game to debate over dinner and a story to carry into the night’s festivities. Find Pacers vs. Magic tickets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and close out 2026 cheering in person.