Get ready for the excitement when fans from eight basketball teams arrive in Wichita for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament this weekend. Things will be especially busy on Thursday when all eight teams play.
The games will be played at Intrust Arena in downtown Wichita and fun Fan Fest activities have been planned for Naftzger Park just north of the stadium. However, you can expect downtown Wichita to be rocking with lots of other activities.
The teams coming to Wichita for the Midwest Region Tournament and their first round schedule are:
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 SIU-Edwardsville
When: Thursday at 1 p.m.
Watch: TBS
No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Georgia
When: Thursday at 3:35 p.m.
Watch: TBS
Teams from the West Region and their first round schedule are:
No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Drake
When: Thursday at 6:35 p.m.
Watch: TRUTV
No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 UNC-Wilmington
When: Thursday at 9:10 p.m.
Watch: TRUTV
FYI: No. 7 Kansas will also be in the tournament, facing off against No. 10 Arkansas at 6:10 p.m. in Providence, Rhode Island. You can watch the game on CBS.
Second round games will be played on Saturday, March 22. Limited Seats are still available and can be purchased online at selectaseat.com.
How Can You Engage?
All of the teams will have Free and open practices for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will be held Wednesday, March 19, at Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena. Practice sessions will start at 11 a.m. and run until 4:55 p.m. Each team in the tournament will have 40 minutes to practice.
Here’s the practice schedule:
11:00 am – Houston
11:45 am – SIU- Edwardsville
12:30 pm – Gonzaga
1:15 pm – Georgia
2:00 pm – Missouri
2:45 pm – Drake
3:30 pm – Texas Tech
4:15 pm – UNC Wilmington
The City of Wichita Parks and Recreation is coordinating Fan Fest in Naftzger Park, but there will also be plenty of school fan oriented activities that may require additional tickets. However, if you want to participate for free, stop by Fan Fest, your FREE destination for all things basketball, entertainment, and game-day vibes!
FAN FEST in Naftzger Park is open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Thurs., March 20 –– With all teams in town, this day has the most well developed schedule of events and of course, you can expect the biggest crowd: Planned activities include:
Live DJ – DJ Zeb of Audacy keeping the beats going all day
Big Screen Game Viewing – Cheer on your team with fellow fans
Interactive Fan Experiences – Show off your skills and join the fun
Family & Kids Activities – Fun for all ages
Food Trucks Galore – CheesePanzee, Kona Ice, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Los Habaneros, ICT Pizza Bus, UHungry Truck, & The Popcorner
21+ Booze Truck & Bars – Cocktails, beer, and more from Shaken or Stirred Bartending, Tipsy Turtle, MobileTini, Bud Light Bar, & a satellite canopy bar ️
Scheels’ Giant Basketball Connect Four – A fan-favorite twist on a classic
Fri., March 21 — with no games may be a lighter schedule.
Food & Drinks – Enjoy a rotating lineup of food trucks and a booze truck serving up your favorite game-day treats all three days.
Activities for All Ages – From interactive games to family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Team Pep Rallies – Feel the energy as university cheer squads and mascots bring the hype with special pep rallies!
Sat., March 22 — there are round two games but times have not been announced. Expect similar activities with much more excitement near and around game times.
If you want more detailed information on team specific and additional activities outside Naftzger, you might want to download the Men’s Final Four App presented by AT&T. The NCAA is promoting it as your on-the-go destination for all Men’s Final Four information. During Men’s Final Four week, the app will be updated daily with new information and surprise announcements.
Parking, Shuttles and Road Closures
Refer to this map for information on tournament parking and for locations of road closures during the NCAA Tournament. The road closures will be in effect from Tuesday., March 18 through the morning of Monday, March 24.
Also, consider hoping on the Q-line to avoid congestion in downtown Wichita during the tournament it will be running every 15 minutes along Douglas and a shuttle service from East High.
The Q-LINE shuttle service during the tournament will run from Walnut St. to N. Edgemoor St.).
Dates: Wednesday, March 19 – Saturday, March 22
Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.
How To Ride the Q
Locate a Q sign along the route you want to ride, or wait at a transit shelter along Douglas Avenue. When the Q arrives, please allow riders to exit before boarding the trolley. To stop the trolley, pull the cord along the window about one block prior to your desired stop.
Free Park & Ride Shuttle – March 20 & 22
The free Park & Ride shuttle will pick up at USD 259 Wichita East High School, 2301 E. Douglas Ave.
Hours: Runs two hours before tip-off and one hour after the final game on Thursday & Saturday.
On Wednesday, March 19 for Practice Day, the Park & Ride will run from East High to Naftzger Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Downtown drop-off/pick-up: Naftzger Park (North side) until 9:30 p.m.; after 9:30 p.m., pick-ups will be at the Wichita Transit Center.
Men’s Final Four App presented by AT&T features:
A full schedule of events. Find dates, times, and locations for all Men’s Final Four activities.
Navigate your way with ease using detailed maps the city, stadium, and local transportation.
Real-time, custom alerts make sure you’re up-to-date with all news.
Men’s Final Four social stream connects you to everything Men’s Final Four in one place.
Shop for exclusive NCAA gear in the official shop of the tournament
.Access and manage your tickets.
