On Selection Sunday, March 15, sixty-five teams are selected for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. This begins March Madness and the push to see who makes it to the Final Four tournament at Ford Field in Detroit.
The NCAA basketball tournament means it’s showtime for the venues hosting the games. Attendance is expected to soar to more than 700,000 this year, making March Madness a mini-stimulus package for the host city and a chance for venues to shine on a national stage.
The Road to the Final Four is played in 13 cities. Here’s a quick tour of the NCAA tournament’s final rounds venue:
TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Eastern Regional – March 26 and 28, 2009
Boston has a long and successful history as a sports city and the NCAA Eastern Regional Championship games will no doubt build on Boston’s reputation as a premier host of major events. Within TD Banknorth Gardens is the New England Sports Museum. For $6 for adults, $4 for children, and $15 for a family, visitors can see Larry Bird’s locker, a Boston Garden penalty area, plenty of Red Sox memorabilia, and more.
When you get inside the Garden, you should take a few minutes to look at all the championship banners hanging inside this building. With the Celtics winning 17 NBA titles and the Bruins winning 5 Stanley Cups and numerous division titles, TD Banknorth Gardens is decorated with rows of banners that proudly hang above the crowd.
Remember your ID when you go to TD Banknorth Gardens. To purchase alcohol, you must have a Massachusetts ID that shows you are 21 years old. If you have an out-of-state ID, you must be 25 years old and present another form of identification with your license. They are strict about this rule, so you are advised to have your drinking credentials ready.
University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
West Regional – March 26 and 28, 2009
The University of Phoenix stadium is designed to represent a barrel cactus. It is a beautiful stadium with large metal panels that catch the light from the desert.
The University of Phoenix Stadium is known for taking care of its disabled guests. The staff goes to great lengths to accommodate guests with special needs, starting with over 2,000 parking spaces for disabled guests. Speaking of parking, you’ll want to make sure you have a parking pass before you arrive. These are usually included in the ticket price, but if you don’t have one, you may end up in a faraway lot, taking a bus to the entrance.
When you visit, take a look at the ceiling. The roof is retractable and translucent. Guests enjoy natural light even when the roof is closed. The strong, dark trusses on the roof are nicely outlined by the bright fabric covering.
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
Midwest Region – March 27-29, 2009
Lucas Oil Stadium also has a retractable roof, but theirs has a unique feature. Instead of opening from end to end, Lucas Oil Stadium’s roof opens from side to side. The massive steel beams that support the roof are 760 feet long. Stand the beams upright, end to end, and they’ll reach higher than the tallest skyscraper in Indy.
Take time to visit the Bud Light Zone at Lucas Oil Stadium. It has an extra large window with stunning views of the stadium and downtown Indianapolis. This is the best place in the stadium to enjoy a drink.
You can park around Lucas Oil Stadium and still have enough money left over for that drink at the Bud Light Zone. This area is full of good and cheap car parks. It will cost you $5 to $30 to park near the stadium and if you get there early you may even get a free space. There is a full list of parking garages at Know Your Venue.
FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee
South Regional – March 27 and 29, 2009
Even though NCAA men’s basketball tickets sold out at the FedEx Forum months ago, you may not be totally out of the game. The FedEx Forum will host an open practice showcasing the talent of all four teams. Head to the forum on Thursday, March 26 for an all-day open practice…and it’s free.
One of the best things about FedEx Forum is its location. Just steps from famed Beale Street, the location offers fans ample opportunities to eat, drink and party. If you like live music with your basketball, just take a stroll down Beale and your Air Jordon’s will be blasting.
Inside the Forum, fans will find that the theme is more music than basketball. Reflecting the city’s blues heritage, visitors will enjoy murals of great musicians and artists such as BB King, Johnny Cash and, of course, Elvis Presley.
Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
Final Four – April 4 and 6, 2009
The Motor City is the end of the Road to the Final Four. The Championship teams will make it official here and Ford Field is expecting a giant basketball crowd. Ford Field can hold 80,000 fans for basketball games; most basketball stadiums have a capacity of around 20,000.
The fun and excitement of March Madness begins the Friday before kickoff. Fans can head to the Cobo Center and enjoy the NCAA basketball experience in Hoop City. Fans have the opportunity to win prizes, play catch, learn new moves and get autographs. It’s $8 if you’re over 12 and $6 for those under 12, college students, military, and seniors.
On Friday, fans can attend a championship team practice. All four teams will be practicing at Ford Field starting at 12 pm on Friday and it’s free. And you don’t want to miss The Big Dance. At the Detroit Riverfront, fans can enjoy a festival filled with entertainment, celebrities, games and more. The best part is that it’s free. Head near the Renaissance Center from April 3-5 to celebrate ‘The Big Dance’ of March Madness.
More than 700,000 fans are expected to attend NCAA tournament games this March. More than 70,000 people have tickets to the final games at Ford Field. Millions will watch the games on television and even more will watch the games on their computers. Whichever way you tune in, let March Madness be your distraction from all the madness going on in the world. Check out a game, enjoy a spot, join an office group, cheer on the underdogs, cheer on the best, and enjoy. Reality will be waiting when the Madness stops.
