Cities Boast Basketball Boost
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThree of the state's largest cities are expecting an economic boost this weekend thanks to post-season college basketball. The NCAA Division I Men's Midwest Regional is being held in Indianapolis, while two rounds of women's tournament games begin Saturday in South Bend. In Evansville, economic development officials expect the Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight to have a $250,000 impact. Evansville Sports Corp. Executive Director Jason Sands says the city's volunteer base and strong corporate support helped land the event at the Ford Center. In addition to the financial benefit, Sands says Evansville will receive major national exposure. The NCAA estimates the event will draw approximately three million television viewers.
Indianapolis is expecting 40,000 to attend the Division I Men's Basketball Championship Midwest Regional beginning Friday.
Indiana communities were also tapped to host NCAA women's tournament games. Some first- and second-ground NCAA women's tournament games were played last week at Purdue University.
The University of Notre Dame will host third-round and quarterfinal women's games Saturday and Monday.
Sources: Inside INdiana Business, Evansville Sports Corp., Indiana Sports Corp.
March 26, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. – All general public tickets for Friday night's NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Midwest Regional Semifinals session have been sold. A very limited number of official NCAA-sanctioned ticket and hospitality packages are still available by visiting NCAA.com/VIP or calling 800/591-9198. Hospitality packages include pregame and in-game hospitality.
A crowd of more than 40,000 will fill the Lucas Oil Stadium stands Friday night. Fans may also still purchase tickets for the Sunday, March 30 Midwest Regional final at NCAA.com/MBBTickets.
The Midwest Regional, hosted by the Horizon League and IUPUI with local operations managed by Indiana Sports Corp, will feature four teams and three games over two days of competition. Two Midwest Regional semifinal games will be played on Friday, March 28, with Tennessee vs. Michigan tipping off at 7:15 p.m. followed by Kentucky vs. Louisville 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. The two winners advance to the Midwest Regional final on Sunday, March 30. Sunday's game time will be determined following Friday's games. The Midwest Regional champion will advance to the NCAA Men's Final Four, April 5 and 7 at AT&T Stadium in North Texas.
For those fans unsuccessful in acquiring tickets, the NCAA will conduct an open practice day, showcasing all four teams at Lucas Oil Stadium, on Thursday, March 27 beginning at Noon. There is no cost to attend open practice day.
Noon-12:50 p.m. – Tennessee
1-1:50 p.m. – Kentucky
2:10-3 p.m. – Michigan
3:10-4 p.m. – Louisville
Lucas Oil Stadium ticket office hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and the ticket office will open Friday at 9 a.m. Due to the large crowds, fans are encouraged to arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium early to get through security lines. It is recommended that fans with tickets at Lucas Oil Stadium Will Call pick them up on Wednesday or Thursday, or earlier in the day on Friday.
The NCAA reminds fans that purchasing tickets from secondary unauthorized vendors may result in fraudulent purchases. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets from NCAA member institutions and companies authorized by the NCAA to sell or resell championship tickets. Information on official NCAA fan to fan tickets can be found at NCAA.com/Exchange.
Source: Indiana Sports Corp.