How do NCAA basketball tournament tickets work?

[rigs32]

A city near me is hosting 2nd and 3rd round games for the 2014 tournament. I don't quite understand how the ticketing works. It looks like there are three sessions:

#1 - Round 2, Thurs at noon
#2 - Round 2, Thurs at 6
#3 - Round 3, Saturday

How many games do you get with a session ticket? Two?

I understand that I won't know who is playing, but I want to figure out if the cost is worth it. Thanks.

 

[soccerdad72]

I've gone twice to 2nd/3rd round games and each time I've gone, I had to purchase the whole weekend package, which means you get three tickets for your purchase, one for each session. You couldn't buy one session separately.

Each session is two games. The Thursday / Friday sessions will have two afternoon games, then they clear the arena and reopen for the two evening games. Saturday / Sunday is two more games (with the winners from Thursday / Friday obviously playing).

 

[Dan Murfman]

I've gone twice to 2nd/3rd round games and each time I've gone, I had to purchase the whole weekend package, which means you get three tickets for your purchase, one for each session. You couldn't buy one session separately.

Each session is two games. The Thursday / Friday sessions will have two afternoon games, then they clear the arena and reopen for the two evening games. Saturday / Sunday is two more games (with the winners from Thursday / Friday obviously playing).

This is really the correct answer. With one small exception. Some of the sites don't sell out. So if the site doesn't sellout you might be able to buy tickets for a single sessions.

 

[JanaDee]

I've gone twice to 2nd/3rd round games and each time I've gone, I had to purchase the whole weekend package, which means you get three tickets for your purchase, one for each session. You couldn't buy one session separately.

Each session is two games. The Thursday / Friday sessions will have two afternoon games, then they clear the arena and reopen for the two evening games. Saturday / Sunday is two more games (with the winners from Thursday / Friday obviously playing).

Yes.

DH bought tickets for the NCAA tourney in 2014 and this is what he had to do.

 

[bcla]

I remember this locally last March in San Jose, CA. They had two sessions with two games each. The other deal is now they have the "pod system" where they could theoretically have teams competing in two different regional. Previously all the teams competing at a specific site would be vying to get to the same regional site. Supposedly they did this to perhaps arrange for better fan support.

And all the tickets will be good for two games.

 

[soccerdad72]

I remember this locally last March in San Jose, CA. They had two sessions with two games each. The other deal is now they have the "pod system" where they could theoretically have teams competing in two different regional. Previously all the teams competing at a specific site would be vying to get to the same regional site. Supposedly they did this to perhaps arrange for better fan support.

And all the tickets will be good for two games.

You're right, that's become pretty common at most sites lately. There's often 4 teams from one region and four from another. As a basketball junkie, it didn't matter to me (or the buddy I always go with) who was playing, it was just fun to be there all day (and night) watching basketball.

 

[rigs32]

The tickets are 200 or 250, I think. It would be worth it if for the whole shebang. Not so much for just two games. Thanks. I'll see tomorrow when they go on sale.

 

[bcla]

I was actually driving through San Jose before the tournament and noticed they had a sign noting that there were open practices with free admission. I could park across the street for free up to two hours (closed off during actual events) and I went in and watched for a few minutes. "My team" wasn't up until evening, but I was able to buy a T-shirt.

 

[sam_gordon]

I remember this locally last March in San Jose, CA. They had two sessions with two games each. The other deal is now they have the "pod system" where they could theoretically have teams competing in two different regional. Previously all the teams competing at a specific site would be vying to get to the same regional site. Supposedly they did this to perhaps arrange for better fan support.

And all the tickets will be good for two games.

This "pod" system has been the case for many years (5+?) now. All it means is for the 2nd/3rd round (will always be round 1 & 2 for me), they'll try to keep teams closer to home.

Whereas in the past, if your team was assigned to the West regional, they would play their first two games in the West, and 'stay' in the West if they advanced. Now, the first 'West' games may be actually on the East Coast, and teams that survive head West for the regional finals.

 

[ECONSC]

Hello, I'm looking at a 2nd/3rd round site with:

#1 - Round 2, Friday morning
#2 - Round 2, Friday evening
#3 - Round 3, Sunday

For those with experience in attending, if my party can't make the 3rd session, can those tickets in the booklet be re-sold?

This would be in advance of the games, via NCAA ticket exchange or stubhub (if allowed). I am just having a hard time finding out If I can re-sale the session I can't attend.

I'm a first timer here, and will be attending my first Tournament in person in 2014.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Deece]

I've gone twice to 2nd/3rd round games and each time I've gone, I had to purchase the whole weekend package, which means you get three tickets for your purchase, one for each session. You couldn't buy one session separately.

Each session is two games. The Thursday / Friday sessions will have two afternoon games, then they clear the arena and reopen for the two evening games. Saturday / Sunday is two more games (with the winners from Thursday / Friday obviously playing).

I've gone twice to 2nd/3rd round games and each time I've gone, I had to purchase the whole weekend package, which means you get three tickets for your purchase, one for each session. You couldn't buy one session separately.

Each session is two games. The Thursday / Friday sessions will have two afternoon games, then they clear the arena and reopen for the two evening games. Saturday / Sunday is two more games (with the winners from Thursday / Friday obviously playing).

Just had a question about tickets, I’m going to the one in Nashville, was just wondering how the sessions work, when you are given 3 tickets, there’s 2 afternoon games and 2 evening games on Friday, and 2 games on Sunday, my question is if you are given only 3 tickets to all the games, do have to keep the ticket once scanned for the evening games? Or how does that work?

Thanks Kyle

 

[Disney Ron]

Just had a question about tickets, I’m going to the one in Nashville, was just wondering how the sessions work, when you are given 3 tickets, there’s 2 afternoon games and 2 evening games on Friday, and 2 games on Sunday, my question is if you are given only 3 tickets to all the games, do have to keep the ticket once scanned for the evening games? Or how does that work?

Thanks Kyle

You should have 1 ticket for the 2 Friday afternoon games, a 2nd ticket for the 2 Friday evening games and finally a 3rd ticket for the 2 Sunday games. Just make sure you have the correct ticket with you for the session you are attending.