The Indianapolis Capitols Return: 1969 Continental Cup Champions Join CoFL 2027 Expansion
The Indianapolis Capitols are officially returning to the Continental Football League.
Lauren Boczek has been named President and Managing Partner of the historic club, bringing the 1969 Continental Cup champions back to the league—and back to Indianapolis—as an official CoFL member club for the 2027 season.
From the CEO
This week was another important one in Indianapolis, with meetings involving prospective Continental Cup sponsors, continued infrastructure work for the new Capitols organization, and conversations with a growing group of civic and business leaders who are genuinely excited about what the league is building.
Indianapolis continues to prove that it is the right home for the Continental Football League.
And now, the reason for today’s announcement: the Indianapolis Capitols are back.
The 1969 Continental Cup champions are officially a 2027 CoFL member club, and Lauren Boczek will lead the organization as its President and Managing Partner.
Lauren Boczek Named President and Managing Partner
Lauren Boczek, President and Managing Partner of the Indianapolis Capitols.
Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Capitols.
Lauren brings nearly two decades of experience in collegiate athletics, broadcasting, marketing, and live sports entertainment to the organization.
A West Virginia native and graduate of West Virginia University, where she studied Public Relations and Political Science, Lauren spent 17 seasons as the arena public address announcer for WVU Women’s Basketball.
She has also served as a public address announcer and in-game host for West Virginia University volleyball, gymnastics, and baseball.
Lauren continues to serve her alma mater during WVU Football game days as the university’s Internal Public Address Announcer. She is the only woman to hold that role in Division I college athletics.
Alongside her work in athletics, Lauren leads a full-service creative agency serving restaurants, sports bars, retail brands, and medical professionals. Her agency provides services across marketing strategy, brand development, digital media, and traditional advertising.
From the CEO
“I’ve spent enough time across the table from Lauren to tell you exactly what the CoFL is getting: background, work ethic, and a competitive spirit that is remarkable. Her football intelligence is that of a gridiron aficionado—she has a command of the game from the administrative side, to the entertainment side, to the connections in this sport that make her a one-of-a-kind person to lead a professional football club.
“I’ve already been introduced to people who are excited about what Lauren and her team are putting together, and I can’t wait to see the coaching and admin staff she’s assembling. She’s already interviewing and lining up her top people for success in Indianapolis.”
— Manny Matsakis, Chief Executive Officer, Continental Football League
From the Managing Partner
“This is a real opportunity—for the players, coaches, and staff who make this club what it is, and for a city that already sets the standard for how sports and community come together.
“To help lead the only full-field, 11-on-11 summertime professional football league in the United States, right here in Sports City USA, is a rare thing. We’re going to build this the Indianapolis way: with our fans, our local unions, our small businesses, and everyone who wants a seat at the table.”
— Lauren Boczek, President and Managing Partner, Indianapolis Capitols
Club Home · 2027
Droplight Grand Park: The Capitols’ Planned Home
The Indianapolis Capitols will be headquartered in Indianapolis and are scheduled to play their 2027 home games at Droplight Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana.
Droplight Grand Park is the region’s premier multi-field sports campus and will serve as a major venue anchoring the Continental Football League’s national programming throughout Central Indiana.
Indianapolis is a city that lives and breathes football. Combined with one of the country’s most decorated youth-to-professional sports campuses and a club name that already carries a Continental Cup championship, the foundation is in place for the Capitols’ return.
That is the starting point for the new Indianapolis Capitols.
Legacy
A Cup Comes Home
In the original Continental Football League, which operated from 1965 to 1969, the Indianapolis Capitols captured the 1969 Continental Cup with a dramatic 44–38 sudden-death overtime victory over the San Antonio Toros.
The championship game became one of the signature contests of that era of professional football.
That trophy—and the history it represents—is the Indianapolis Capitols’ inheritance.
The 1969 Continental Cup, awarded to the Indianapolis Capitols following their 44–38 sudden-death overtime victory over the San Antonio Toros.
The club’s return to the modern Continental Football League places that legacy back on the field in the market that originally built it.
Under Lauren Boczek’s leadership, the Capitols will continue developing their ownership structure, sponsorship program, and community partnerships throughout Central Indiana.
The organization will operate according to the CoFL’s standards-first and community-first model.
Building the Club
Ownership, Front Office, and Head Coach on the Horizon
Lauren has been working behind the scenes for several weeks in preparation for today’s announcement, and the club’s ownership group is already taking shape.
Additional announcements regarding the Indianapolis Capitols’ ownership, front-office structure, and staffing are expected throughout August.
The organization is also in the final stages of naming its head coach.
That announcement is expected in mid-to-late August as the club completes the remaining details. Additional coaching and administrative hires will be announced throughout the remainder of the summer.
This Week in Indianapolis
Continental Cup Conversations, Infrastructure, and a City That Is Ready
This week’s work in Indianapolis included significant discussions surrounding the Continental Cup.
League leadership met with prospective Cup sponsors, continued infrastructure development for the Indianapolis Capitols organization, and received introductions to a growing group of civic and business leaders who are genuinely excited about what the Continental Football League is building in Central Indiana.
With Michael Schetzel working on the ground as Chief of Staff, the Capitols coming online for the 2027 season, and Droplight Grand Park anchoring the league’s programming, the front office is beginning to move at the speed required of a professional football league.
Build the League · Own a Club · 2027
Indianapolis Is In. Who’s Next?
Two additional ownership groups are currently undergoing active vetting for the 2027 Continental Football League season.
If your community belongs in the CoFL—or you represent an ownership group that belongs in the CoFL—the time to begin the conversation is now.
Follow the Indianapolis Capitols
Stay connected with the Indianapolis Capitols as the club builds toward its return in 2027.
Website: indycapitols.com
Facebook: /indycapitols
Instagram: @indycapitols
X: @indycapitols
TikTok: @indycapitols
YouTube: @IndyCapitols
Media inquiries — Indianapolis Capitols:
[email protected]
Coming Up in The Continental
August will bring additional Indianapolis Capitols news, including announcements regarding the club’s front-office structure, its head coach, and its initial sponsorship partners.
Two additional ownership groups remain under active evaluation for the 2027 season, and the Continental Football League expects further expansion news in the weeks ahead.
The league also extends a word of thanks to Light Helmets, the CoFL’s league-wide sponsor, for continuing to stand behind the players who wear the shield.
On to 2027—unified and ready to go.
— Manny Matsakis
Founder and CEO
Continental Football League