FINAL FOUR FACTS
The NCAA holds a single-elimination tournament each spring in several U.S. cities. The tournament, including the national semifinals and championship game (the Final Four), has become one of the nation’s most prominent sporting events.
More than 330 NCAA colleges and universities are initially eligible for the championship; each year 68 teams begin play in the annual championship tournament. After the first weekend of competition, 52 teams are eliminated by losing in any of the first three rounds of the championship. The remaining 16 teams advance to the next round of games known as the NCAA Regionals. Traditionally these remaining teams are referred to as the Sweet 16. One team from each Regional will advance to the Final Four in Houston.
View the official NCAA Final Four Men's Basketball webpage
FRIDAY, APRIL 1
USBWA Awards Breakfast
Admission: TBD
Hours: 8 - 9:30 am
Description: The basketball writers will hand out the organizations' National Freshman, National Coach and National Player of the Year awards. Tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa
Final Four Friday® - Team Practices
Admission: Free
Hours: Noon - 4 pm (Gates open at 11 am)
Noon - 12:50 p.m. Game No. 1 Lower Seed
1 - 1:50 p.m. Game No. 2 Lower Seed
2:10 - 3 p.m. Game No. 1 Higher Seed
3:10 - 4 p.m. Game No. 2 Higher Seed
Reese's® - College All-Star Game
Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Free
Hours: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Description: The Reese's College All-Star Game features two teams comprised of the top collegiate senior student-athletes in the country. For the third year, the game will be played in the Final Four venue and will provide Texas residents and other NCAA basketball fans the chance to see many of the best college basketball players perform in action for free!
The Big Dance® - Concert Series
Headliner: SUBLIME WITH ROME
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 4 - 10:30 pm
Description: The Big Dance is a free three-day concert series open to music fans in celebration of the NCAA Men's Final Four. In addition to the music, there will be plenty of food and activities to keep you entertained.
Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates. Please read the following rules before you head to The Big Dance!
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
POWERADE® NCAA Youth Clinics
Location: University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, Texas Southern University and John H. Reagan High School
Admission: Free (Participants must be between 8-16 years of age [boys and girls] and pre-registered - pre-registration is highly encouraged)
Hours: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Registration: Log on to www.NCAA.com/finalfour for details. Online registration will be available for the first 300 youth at each site at www.NCAA.com/youthclinics.
Description: The Powerade NCAA Youth Clinics are a community outreach program that connects kids ages 8 – 16 with the basketball championship and provides them with resources designed to have a lasting impact. Participants receive sport instruction from NCAA coaches and student-athletes and get valuable information on fitness, healthy lifestyles and sportsmanship. The clinics also feature a session for parents and guardians with information on recruiting, academic and eligibility issues.
Bracket Town™ refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero™
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over), $6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*) Free (ages 2 and under)*Appropriate ID required
Hours: 10 am- 7 pm
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate fan experience. Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
The Big Dance® - Concert Series
Headliner: THE KINGS OF LEON
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 11:30 - 8:00 pm
Description: The Big Dance is a free three-day concert series open to music fans in celebration of the NCAA Men's Final Four. In addition to the music, there will be plenty of food and activities to keep you entertained.
Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates. Please read the following rules before you head to The Big Dance!
Pep Rally
Location: TBD
Admission: Free
Hours: TBD
Description: Join the four participating bands and cheer squads for the World's Largest Pep Rally.
National Semifinals
Admission: Sold out. Seating capacity is approximately 76,000
Hours: Tipoff is approximately 5:09 p.m. The second semifinal game will take place approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. (Gates open at 3 p.m.) \
SUNDAY, APRIL 3
NCAA Final Four Dribble® presented by Lowes Senior CLASS Award®
Start: Herman Square at Houston City Hall; 900 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Finish: George R. Brown Convention Center (Bracket Town)
Admission: Free
Hours: Dribble begins at 2 p.m.; All participants, including pre-registered, must check-in prior to 1:30 p.m.
Registration: Log onto www.NCAA.com/finalfour to register for the NCAA Final Four Dribble presented by Lowes Senior Class Award. Online registration will be available to the first 3,700 registrants.Onsite Registration: Onsite registration will be available to the first 800 registrants who did not pre-register online.
Description: Basketball fans, under the age of 18, will have the opportunity to dribble from Houston City Hall to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Participants will receive a free basketball and t-shirt courtesy of the NCAA, Lowes Senior Class Award, Wilson Sporting Goods and the Houston Local Organizing Committee. Participants wearing their Final Four Dribble t-shirt will also receive free admission to Bracket Town on event day. Participants must be present to receive complimentary items and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Bracket Town™ refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero™
Location:George R. Brown Convention Center
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over), $6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*) Free (ages 2 and under)*Appropriate ID required
Hours: 12 - 8 pm
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate fan experience. Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
The Big Dance® - Concert Series
Headliner: KENNY CHESNEY
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 3 - 10:30 pm
Description: The Big Dance is a free three-day concert series open to music fans in celebration of the NCAA Men's Final Four. In addition to the music, there will be plenty of food and activities to keep you entertained.
Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates. Please read the following rules before you head to The Big Dance!
MONDAY, APRIL 4
Bracket Town™ refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero™
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over), $6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*) Free (ages 2 and under)*Appropriate ID required
Hours: 12 - 7 pm
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate fan experience. Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
National Championship
Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Sold out. Seating capacity is approximately 76,000
Hours: Tipoff is approximately 8:23 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.)
Description: This is the game everyone has waited for. The top two teams in the nation will play each other for the most coveted title in every intercollegiate sport - National Champions!
NABC Championship Trophy Presentation Celebration
Location: Final Four Winning Team Hotel
Admission: Free
Hours: Postgame
Description: Winning coach and student-athletes will be presented with the NABC championship trophy in a pep rally setting for all fans to enjoy.
Final Four Viewing Party & Saint Arnold Beer Garden
Location: Market Square Park
Hours: Saturday, April 2, 3-11 pm (semifinal games begin at 5:30 pm); Monday, April 4, 6-11 pm (championship game begins at 8 pm)
Admission: Free
Description: Located in downtown’s Historic District, Market Square Park will be the place for locals to watch the games. It currently serves as downtown’s neighborhood hangout and is programmed with concerts, movies and happy hours throughout the spring season. In the heart of the park is a Houston’s Greek favorite, Niko Niko’s who is an “official” restaurant of the NCAA Final Four. The park will be transformed into a basketball haven with big screens, a beer garden and lots of fun and good food.
Website: www.marketsquarepark.com
Eat & Drink
To search for a restuarant or type of food, click here and go to the guide section of this site. You will find a listing of downtown bars also or here is a list of some of our favorites!
Free Final Four Trolleys
Route: Bagby down Dallas to Discovery Green and back up Lamar.
Stops: Doubletree Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Courtyard by Marriott, Main Street Square/Houston Pavilions, Embassy Suites, Hilton Americas (corner of Dallas & Crawford), Discovery Green, Four Seasons, Main Street Square/Macy’s.
Hours:
Friday 10 a. – 11 pm
Saturday 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday 10 am – 11 pm
Monday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Parking
There is an abudance of public parking in downtown- in garages and on surface lots. Here is a handy-dandy reference map. Don't forget that it might be more convenient to park downtown and then take the METRORail to Reliant Park.
Getting Around
If you are going to Reliant Park, consider parking downtown and taking the MetroRail to the stadium. If you are staying at one of downtown’s hotels, you can walk to all the ancillary events downtown and to the many restaurants and bars.
Parking is abundant around Bracket Town and The Big Dance but be aware that the lots will be charging extra because of this mega event. If you are OK with walking, remember that the farther away you park, the cheaper it will be. On-street parking is metered (please note that there are also time limitations at the meters) and free after 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday. Always read signs and never park if you see red markings on the street or a red bagged meter.
METRO will be providing weekend Park & Ride service to The Big Dance at Discovery Green from the following locations: Cost $5 (cash or Q Card only)
Addicks Park & Ride
14230 Old Katy Road
Fuqua Park & Ride
11755 Sabo Road
Kuykendahl Park & Ride
12920 Kuykendahl
West Belfort Park & Ride
11415 Roark Road
Service will run 30 minutes or less as follows:
Saturday, April 2: to downtown (10 am-3 pm) from downtown (3-8 pm)
Sunday, April 3: to downtown (noon-6 pm) from downtown (6 pm-12 midnight)
More Info
Connect to all the activities through your mobile device. Go to FinalFourMobile.com to engage with all of the action both on the court and in the Houston area.
