Watching games from home is one thing, but it’s an entirely different experience to witness March Madness in person. Here’s what to know.
Welcome to March Madness, the most exciting time in sports. Over the next three weeks, we’ll watch college basketball crown its latest champion. Sure, our brackets will probably get ruined in the process, but that’s part of the fun.
For this year’s men’s tournament, Houston’s Toyota Center is hosting the South Regional, with Rice as the “host” school. Next year, Fort Worth (hosted by the University of North Texas) will welcome the first and second rounds, while San Antonio will be the home of the South Regional (hosted by the University of San Antonio).
The women’s tournament operates a bit differently. In the first two rounds, the schools that are seeded 1-4 host the games for their respective pods. This year, that means there are first and second-round games in Austin and Fort Worth.
To quote longtime broadcaster Dick Vitale, I’ve been a March Madness fan since I was a “diaper dandy,” or, in other words, since I was super young. I’ve been to tournament games in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, and Miami. Over that time, I’ve learned how to maximize my March Madness experience. Here are nine tips for you to do the same.
1. Know which session you’re getting tickets for
Each pair of rounds during March Madness has multiple sessions. During the first weekend, every venue hosts three sessions: two games apiece in the first round, and two in the second round. The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight are separate sessions, as are the Final Four and the championship game. Attendees can choose to get tickets to one or all sessions.
For example, in the men’s tournament, Houston attendees this year can choose to go to the two Sweet Sixteen games, the Elite Eight game, or both. Next year in Fort Worth, you can either buy tickets for Session 1 (the first two games of the first round), Session 2 (the second two games of the first round), Session 3 (the two second round games), or all the sessions. I always aim to go to all of them, though I also love watching hoops.
If you’re only choosing one session, make sure to get tickets for the correct date and time. You won’t be able to enter otherwise. You also won’t be able to come back inside if you leave the arena. Don’t be like my friend, who left to get her dog from the vet ten minutes into the opening game of the first session. She wasn’t allowed to re-enter until shortly before the second session, and she missed some excellent action on the court!
2. Take photos with the mascots
One reason I like going to multiple sessions? More opportunities to get pictures with mascots. Every team travels with its cheer squad, and that includes the mascot. Sometimes, that mascot is a blue jay who will stop on a dime as it’s running to the locker room (thank you for your time, Creighton’s Billy Bluejay). Other times, the mascot is simply a muscled man wearing a flannel with the sleeves cut off (see the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack). Still other times, that mascot is a tiger that defeats a jayhawk in a dance battle.
In just about every case, a mascot is happy to take a photo with you, even if you’re wearing a rival’s logo. It’s simply a matter of tracking them down. Usually, they’re standing by the court, though they may occasionally roam the seats. You might even catch them in the concourse in between games.
The ideal time to grab a mascot picture is before the game starts, while the teams are warming up. Once you find where they are, make your move. It helps to know their name, which you can find via a quick online search or by asking a supporter of the school, and offer a welcoming shout to get their attention. Have a friend ready to snap several pictures, or find a cheerful fan in the section to get a picture—just queue up your camera as you hand it to them. Mascot photos are a truly unique March Madness souvenir, so don’t be shy about trying to make them happen.
3. Work your way down to the court
I attend March Madness games because I like watching basketball. I root a little harder for the team I picked in my bracket, but generally, I’m just hoping for a good game. Other people only buy tickets specifically to see their team. That can work to your advantage.
For instance, in 2022, the first game of the second session at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth was between San Diego State and Creighton. The second was Kansas and Texas Southern. Kansas fans travel well, but the majority of people who wanted to see the Jayhawks play didn’t care about the first game. They weren’t going to show up until shortly before the second game started.
After my friend and I got pictures with Creighton’s mascot—again, thank you to Billy Bluejay for being so cool—we stayed in the front row. No one else was sitting there, except for a couple who also did not actually have tickets in that row. It’s a completely different experience watching the game from right behind the bench. You’ll see (and hear) things you wouldn’t otherwise be privy to, and it almost feels like you’re in the huddle.
Of course, at some point, you’ll have to return to your actual seats when the rightful owners arrive. But there’s no harm in embracing the courtside vibe for a few minutes, especially if you’ve already made your way to the floor to grab your mascot picture.
4. Spread out your food and drink consumption
This is a good tip for any sporting event, but it’s especially wise during March Madness sessions with multiple games. I have watched friends gorge on snacks and drinks too early on in the day, and it comes back to haunt them. They have to take more frequent bathroom breaks, become lethargic, and are just generally uncomfortable in their seats.
It’s understandable, as there are usually venue-specific specials that are too tantalizing to pass up. And if the game you’re watching happens to be a blowout, perhaps the fancy frozen cocktail at the bar is a more entertaining sight.
“Our eyes are bigger than our stomachs” is a cliche for a reason, so try your best not to overdo it. Otherwise, the last game is going to feel exceptionally rough to get through.
5. Bring a portable phone charger
The number one most important thing to bring to any March Madness game is a portable charger and, if necessary, a cable for charging your phone.
If your favorite school is playing in the region you’re attending—and even more humorously, if they’re not—you can deck yourself out in their gear. It’s fun to high-five and strike up conversations with your fellow fans. But the arena is full of people who are on their phones, and the additional broadcast and photographer teams will also likely cause your cell to work a little harder (and drain more battery) than it’s used to.
Watching your phone cling to 1% is a terrible feeling, so let’s just avoid it entirely. Many phone chargers are compact enough to fit into a pocket or purse.
6. Wear comfortable shoes
Most clothes are acceptable to wear at a March Madness game, but comfortable shoes are a must. I’m not saying you need to lace up a pair of sneakers. No one’s going to ask you to sub into a game, no matter how amazing that would be. However, every time I’ve attended a March Madness game, I’ve been flummoxed by the bizarre choices some people make with their footwear.
Tall heels, stiff cowboy boots, and flip-flops are all fine in certain settings, but a basketball game is not one of them. You’ll be walking up and down several flights of steps and sliding past people as you work your way to your seat, head to the concession stand, and pose for snazzy pictures. Particularly if you tend to stand up and cheer during tense, exhilarating moments, you’ll welcome the comfort.
7. Rock out with the band
One element of college basketball that’s missing from the pros is the presence of lively bands. It’s what makes the collegiate level so unique, and it’s especially on display during basketball games. The bands usually get one or two performances on the court during timeouts or halftime, though they’re doing their thing in the crowd throughout the whole game.
Particularly with smaller schools, these band members are simply having the best time. And it can be infectious. Watch their choreographed dance moves, bop your head along with the covers of modern-day and classic pop songs, and admire the enthusiasm coming from the bulkier instruments. The tubas and French horns always seem to be the most jovial.
8. Take in the environment
To that end, don’t only watch the band. Take in the entire environment. In 2022, Indiana cheerleaders Cassidy Cerny and Nathan Paris went viral when they helped dislodge a basketball that had been stuck behind the basket.
Commentator Ian Eagle called it their “One Shining Moment,” a play on the song and montage that wraps up the tournament every year. This is an extreme example, but there are fun little moments all throughout the tournament.
The cheer squads for each team have various moves and traditions, such as holding up a finger or tossing a pom-pom into a megaphone after a made free throw. There’s always at least one fan dressed in an incredibly outrageous, eye-catching outfit. The Jumbotron is an endless source of entertainment throughout the day.
Even when you don’t particularly care what happens on the court, it’s easy to get caught up in the action. I still remember the chaos at the end of a 2007 matchup between Wisconsin and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi because the row of guys behind me had bet on the Islanders to cover the spread. They needed Texas A&M to either win or lose by less than 13 points. Despite going into halftime with an eight-point lead, the Islanders ultimately lost 76-63. They had several chances to make a final basket to trim the deficit, but none of them went in. Those guys were on a roller-coaster of emotion, and it was a delightful spectacle to witness.
Additionally, the concourse often hosts various attractions. The March Madness wall with all the teams is a great photo opportunity, and there are usually some pieces of NCAA Tournament-exclusive merchandise you can take home. It’s a long day at the stadium, so enjoy walking around and seeing what you stumble upon.
9. Don’t stress (too much) over the result
Back in 2018, I was attending the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. My alma mater, the Miami Hurricanes, was taking on the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers. You may remember Loyola’s chaplain, Sister Jean, supporting the school as the Ramblers made a magical run to the Final Four. That means I had to watch them upset Miami in that first-round game, on a buzzer-beater, no less.
Similarly, the Jumbotron will periodically show highlights from other games going on. You may even watch the team you picked to win the whole tournament lose in the first round (looking at you, 2022 Kentucky). All around you, people will be cheering, because an underdog upsetting a Goliath is always thrilling. Do your best to remain stoic, even if you’re crumbling a little inside.
March Madness is a special time of year. Whether you’re watching the games at home or checking out the action in person, there will be plenty of magic in the air. Enjoy the tournament!
