Everything you need to know about NCAA Final Four, Championship Weekend in Phoenix
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — College basketball’s biggest tournament is back in the Valley, and there are plenty of things for fans to do! Whether you’re interested in cheering on the Final Four teams or singing along to your favorite songs at a music festival, there’s something for everyone — even if you’re not a sports fan.
Where can I buy tickets to Final Four games and the National Championship?
Note: All listed times MDT/PDT
The two Final Four games of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament will be played at State Farm Stadium on Saturday, April 6. North Carolina State will face off against Purdue at 3:09 p.m., while Alabama and UConn tip off at 5:49 p.m. Gates open at 1 p.m. Tickets are going fast, so make sure to buy yours today! Click or tap here for more information or to buy tickets.
The National Championship will tip-off at State Farm Stadium on Monday, April 8, at 6:20 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. To buy tickets, click or tap here.
What about transportation or parking?
Parking depends on what day and event you are planning on attending. Here is a full breakdown:
Fri., April 5 - Reese’s Men’s Final Four Friday
- Free - Red Preferred & Orange West Lots ONLY. The lot opens at 9 a.m.
Sat., April 6 - Semifinal Games - Click Here to Pre-Purchase
- Orange & Black Lots - $200: Oversized (Bus/Limo/RV)
- Red Preferred Lot - $75: Car (No oversized vehicles)
- Green, Black, Orange & Blue Lots - $50: Car (No oversized vehicles)
- Lots open at 10:30 a.m.
Mon., April 8 - National Championship Game - Click Here to Pre-Purchase
- Orange & Black Lots - $200: Oversized (Bus/Limo/RV)
- Red Preferred Lot - $75: Car (No oversized vehicles)
- Green, Black, Orange & Blue Lots - $50: Car (No oversized vehicles)
- Lots open at 1 p.m.
For more information or to see a map of the parking lots, click or tap here.
Valley Metro will also be providing free rides through the Valley Metro app. To see how you can score free rides, click or tap here.
Reese’s Men’s Final Four Friday
Fans of all ages can pack State Farm Stadium and see college basketball’s biggest stars! The Reese’s Men’s Final Four Friday is a free event that’s open to the public, featuring open practices for the Final Four teams and an All-Star game with top senior student-athletes. See the full schedule below:
- 10:00 a.m. - Doors Open
- 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. - (11) NC State Open Practice
- 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m. - (1) Purdue Open Practice
- 1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. - (4) Alabama Open Practice
- 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. - (1) UConn Open Practice
- 3:30 p.m. - Reese’s NABC College All-Star Game
Tip-off Tailgate - select days for ticketholders
For those heading to the games, make sure to make a pit stop at the Great Lawn outside State Farm Stadium for the Men’s Final Four Tip-off Tailgate! Fans can enjoy free team pep rallies, musical performances, basketball-themed games, plus food and drinks. Plenty of celebrities will also be in attendance, including Phoenix Suns’ legend Steve Nash and Hall of Fame basketball player Ray Allen! Fans are encouraged to stop by for all the festivities.
Times of Operation:
- Friday, April 5 - 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 6 - 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 7 - Closed
- Monday, April 8 - 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
For a daily list of all activities for each day and performances, click here.
Men’s Final Four Fan Fest - all weekend
Are you ready for a weekend that’s jam-packed with games, celebrity and athlete appearances, autograph signings and more? You won’t want to miss Fan Fest! The event will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix Friday through Monday.
Tickets will be $10 at the door for ages 13 and older. There will be free entry for kids 12 and under (with the purchase of an adult ticket), Men’s Final Four Game Ticketholders and Capital One cardholders. Capital One cardholders can also get into the event one hour early by showing their card at the entrance.
Saturday is Military Appreciation Day, and admission will be free for military personnel and three guests. Those eligible can redeem the offer at the box office.
If you show a ticket stub from the Diamondbacks, Suns, Mercury, Coyotes and Rising, you can also get in for free!
To see the full list of activities each day, click or tap here.
Times of Operation:
- Friday, April 5 - Noon - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 6 - 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, April 7 - 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 8 - Noon - 6:00 p.m.
March Madness Music Festival - all weekend
Feel like getting away from the sports action and listening to your favorite tunes? Head over to Hance Park in downtown Phoenix for the March Madness Music Festival to see a star-studded lineup of artists!
- Friday - The AT&T Block Party will kick off at 4:30 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. Remi Wolf, Reneé Rapp and Zedd will take the stage for an unforgettable night.
- Saturday - Coke Studio Live will host Leven Kali, Bebe Rexha and the Jonas Brothers from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday - A can’t-miss lineup will round out the weekend at the Capital One Jamfest. Don’t miss performances by Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, The Black Keys and Mumford & Sons. The event will run from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
To see a breakdown of concert times, click or tap here.
Men’s Final Four Dribble - Sunday
To end a fun weekend, you won’t want to miss the Men’s Final Four Dribble! Thousands of kids will dribble their way though a one-mile course and show off their skills! The course winds through downtown Phoenix.
Each child will receive a Men’s Final Four dribble Wilson basketball and a t-shirt. Dribble participants and their parents will receive complimentary access to the Fan Fest.
The event begins at Heritage Square at 10:30 a.m. Registration is at capacity, but you can join the waitlist by following this link. For more information about the event, click or tap here.
One important note for fans flying home from NCAA Final Four events this weekend: If you purchase an Official NCAA Men’s Final Four Game Program and are flying, TSA advises that you place your game program in your carry-on baggage. DO NOT place game programs in your checked baggage. The TSA has determined that the thickness and type of glossy paper that is used, creates a bulk mass that has to be hand inspected in most cases and will cause potential delays to the security screening process.
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