A Minnesotan’s guide to college basketball’s ultimate weekend

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.

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

Give Me The Mike is a Minnesota guide to good food, local events and places worth exploring. Created by Mike Marcotte, the site shares restaurant recommendations, seasonal guides and ideas for making the most of life in Minnesota.

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