Atlanta, GA -- (Sports Network) - The NFL has awarded Super Bowl XLVI to Indianapolis, which will open a new stadium for the Colts this August.

Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis is expected to seat about 73,000 for a Super Bowl. The game is scheduled to be played February 5, 2012 after the 2011 season.

Indianapolis was chosen Tuesday in a vote by NFL owners. The other candidates were Houston and Arizona.

"They did a terrific job of putting together an outstanding bid," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the Indianapolis group. "The quality of the stadium was a big factor in many of the owners' minds."

Indianapolis lost out to Dallas for Super Bowl XLV last May.

"We couldn't be more excited about bringing the Super Bowl to Indianapolis," said Colts owner Jim Irsay. "It's been a long process. This is something so big for our community. People back there are already buzzing. We couldn't be happier."

This season's Super Bowl will be held February 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Super Bowl XLIV after the 2009 campaign will be in Miami at Dolphin Stadium and Super Bowl XLV after the 2010 season is scheduled to be played in the new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys in Texas.