The best in college men’s basketball make their way to Minneapolis April 5-8, 2019. Like when Minnesota hosted Super Bowl LII in 2018, there is plenty to do. Here’s a guide of what you can discover.
I explored the Tip-Off Tailgate and Final Four Fan Fest on Friday. Get my take here.
Know before you go:
- The big name concerts at the Armory (Katy Perry, Jonas Brothers, Chainsmokers) are sold out. However, there are free outdoor concerts planned to take place on Nicollet Mall. Keep reading for details.
- U.S. Bank Stadium is free to visit on Friday. You can watch teams practice and see everything all shiny.
- All of the NCAA sanctioned events (aka U.S. Bank Stadium, the Armory, Nicollet Mall and the Convention Center) are all within a mile of each other. Park once and forget about your car once you are downtown. Downtown Minneapolis has 40,000 parking spots. Plus, unlike Super Bowl LII, the light rail will run on a regular schedule throughout the weekend.
- If you want to reserve a parking spot, you can through a program called SpotHero. You can use it in Minneapolis year-round. I don’t recommend it — you aren’t necessarily saving money and you have to specifically find that one parking ramp when you get downtown.
- Saturday update: the parking ramp across the street from my apartment was charging a $8 event rate. I’m 4 blocks from Tip-Off Tailgate on Nicollet Mall and 7 blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium. Not bad.
- The NCAA has a decent (free) phone app that has details with all of the events they are planning. You can also use it to buy tickets to Fan Fest. It also has an interactive skyway map that’s definitely worth it. Here’s a link to download it.
- Don’t want to walk? Buick is expected to take fans in their cars from their tents set up around downtown to an establishment or venue for free. The service will take place Friday thru Monday. The driver will not drop riders off at a private resident. Riders must be at least 9 years old or weigh 90 pounds. Cars will go between 5 to 7 miles from the tent to the final destination. As of April 1st, the times and location of operation were not made public.
- If you end up taking a Lyft or Uber to get downtown, there will be specific points where you should have better luck meeting a driver.
-
- LaSalle Avenue and 9th Street (near Nicollet Mall)
-
- On 5th Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets (near City Hall)
-
- On 7th Street between Chicago Avenue and 10th Avenue (near U.S. Bank Stadium)
- You will need a clear bag any just about every indoor event planned by the NCAA. That includes the games inside U.S. Bank Stadium, the Fan Fest at the Convention Center and the concerts in the Armory. Leave backpacks, purses larger than 5.5″ x 8.5″ and your State Fair fanny pack at home. Free clear bags will be handed out at hotels, at the Convention Center and U.S. Bank Stadium. They are also for sale at NCAA Final Four merchandise stands.
- NCAA will have plenty of merchandise stores set up. The Minneapolis Convention Center will have a 7,700 square feet experience at its Fan Fest. There will be a retail store inside the Baker Center (8th Street and Marquette Avenue) and on Nicollet Mall between 9th and 10th Streets. There will also be official stores in over a dozen Twin Cities hotels.
Places you will want to visit:
- ESPN is scheduled to broadcast outside on Nicollet Mall between 4th & 5th Streets at Xcel Energy Plaza (right off the light rail)
- CBS Sports will broadcast inside the IDS Center Crystal Court
- FINNEGANS, located just 2 blocks from the Armory and 4 blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium, will be open from noon til midnight April 5-8. Their taproom is an official NCAA merchandise site and you can take a photo with a NCAA ladder and hoop right there. They are also teaming up with Pedal Pub to offer 90 minute runs around East Town Friday thru Monday. The cost is $39.
Related content:
- What you should know before visiting Minneapolis (includes parking information)
- You Betcha: Brush up on your Minnesota slang
- The best donuts in the Twin Cities
Thursday, April 4
State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships
- 8:00 p.m.
- Target Center, Minneapolis
- Tickets: $15-38
Friday, April 5
Reese’s® Final Four Friday®
- 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
- Free and open to the public
- Watch all four teams practice before Saturday’s semifinals
- There is also an all-star game, which starts around 3:30 p.m.
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the Fan Fest at the Convention Center. View more here.
Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- Runs 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday
- Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
- Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
- More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
- Note: Capital One cardholders get special early access to the event on Saturday and Sunday
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside Fan Fest. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.
Tip-Off Tailgate
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Friday
- Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
- Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane
Take a photo with the NCAA Trophy
- 12:00-2:00 p.m.
- Target on Nicollet Mall (2nd floor)
AT&T Block Party
- 7:00 p.m.
- Armory, Minneapolis
- This free concert, featuring The Chainsmokers, is sold out. Tickets were claimed weeks ago
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.
Pizza Toss
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Kitchen in the Market, Minneapolis (it’s not downtown!)
- Tickets: $85
- Learn how to make pizza dough from scratch at home! You are provided all of the ingredients (after a glass of champagne) along with the instruction. Don’t worry, you will be able to enjoy your creation, too!
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat
- 7:00 p.m.
- Target Center, Minneapolis
- Tickets start at $17
- All fans in attendance will receive an exclusive 7″ Prince vinyl (photo above)
Bret Michaels
- 8:00 p.m.
- Mystic Lake Showroom, Prior Lake
- Tickets: $39 – 64
American Craft Show
- Opens Friday, runs thru Sunday
- Saint Paul RiverCentre
- Tickets: $13
- Meet and purchase goods from nearly 250 artists from around the country
Saturday, April 6
Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- Runs 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday
- Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
- Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
- More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
- Note: Capital One cardholders get special early access to the event on Saturday; they can get in starting at 9:00 a.m.
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to Fan Fest at the Convention Center and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.
Tip-Off Tailgate
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- 2:00 – 10:00 p.m. Saturday
- Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
- Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane
- Pep rallies for the final four teams will be held at 2:30, 2:45, 3:00 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday
- Viewing parties of the semifinal games will start at 5:00 p.m. Saturday
Semifinal: #5 Auburn vs #1 Virginia
- 5:09 p.m.
- U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Semifinal: #3 Texas Tech vs #2 Michigan State
- 7:49 p.m.
- U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
The Eventual Four
- 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
- Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis
- The longer you stay, the better the deals! Bauhaus’ beers will battle each other throughout the evening, with discounts served on brews that advance
Red Green
- 7:00 p.m.
- The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, Saint Paul
- Tickets: $60
Leather & Laces Spring Edition
- 9:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
- Seven Steakhouse, Minneapolis
- General admission tickets: $60
- VIP tickets for $150 include premium bar, champagne, sushi and sweets
- It’s by the same people who produced the Leather & Laces party that was in Minneapolis for Super Bowl LII. They host this party annually for the Super Bowl at the Kentucky Derby
- The radio ad for this party says this is the “1st annual” Leather & Laces Spring Edition party. First, nothing can be the “1st annual” if you’ve only done it once. It’s the inaugural. Second, ZERO information, besides how you can buy tickets, is available on their website. No list of celebrities you might brush shoulders with. I don’t do this often, but I’m going to say this is not worth your time or money.
American Craft Show
- Opens Friday, runs thru Sunday
- Saint Paul RiverCentre
- Tickets: $13
- Meet and purchase goods from nearly 250 artists from around the country
Jonas Brothers
- 7:00 p.m.
- Armory, Minneapolis
- This free concert, featuring The Jonas Brothers, is sold out
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.
Sunday, April 7
Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- Runs 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday
- Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
- Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
- More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
- Note: Capital One cardholders get special early access to the event on Sunday; they can get in starting at 10:00 a.m.
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside Fan Fest. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.
Tip-Off Tailgate
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday
- Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
- Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane
Goldy’s Run
- 8:00 a.m. Sunday
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Join Goldy Gopher for a morning jog around Minneapolis — choose from a 10 mile and relay, 5k or kids gallop
Slay Day
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Surly Brewing, Minneapolis
- Surly will release its kolsch-style ale, Heat Slayer
- $15 will get you all the Heat Slayer you care to drink on their patio
Starch Madness
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
- The final 2 cookies in Mill City Museum’s cookie bracket will be made and you get to eat the finalists
Ken Jeong
- 8:00 p.m.
- Mystic Lake Showroom, Prior Lake
- Tickets: $29 – 55
- It’s not downtown Minneapolis!
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2:30 p.m.
- Target Center, Minneapolis
- You can get a free Metro Transit pass to the game by taking a short survey here
American Craft Show
- Opens Friday, runs thru Sunday
- Saint Paul RiverCentre
- Tickets: $13
- Meet and purchase goods from nearly 250 artists from around the country
Final Four Dribble
- 2:00 p.m.
- Minneapolis Convention Center
- Registration is closed
- 3,000 youth will dribble basketballs around Minneapolis
Capital One JamFest
- 7:00 p.m.
- Armory, Minneapolis
- This free concert, featuring Katy Perry and Zedd, is sold out
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.
Monday, April 8
Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- Runs 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday
- Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
- Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
- More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
- Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside Fan Fest. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.
Tip-Off Tailgate
- Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
- 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Monday
- Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
- Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane
- Free music performance by Fitz and the Tantrums at 6:00 p.m. Monday on the Wendy’s Main Stage at Nicollet Mall & 11th Street
National Championship Game
- 8:00 p.m. Monday
- U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Final 4 Taproom Takeover
- 4:30 p.m.
- BlackStack Brewing, Saint Paul
- Tickets: $35-82
- “Top Chef” alum Justin Sutherland leads a crew of talent creating a full menu to nosh on while you watch the national championship
1 thought on “A Minnesotan’s guide to college basketball’s ultimate weekend”