March Madness is coming to San Antonio April 4-7, and there’s no need to break the bank to join in around the NCAA tournament. While tickets for the Men’s Final Four matches begin at $600, the National Collegiate Athletic Association is hosting free events for the community. So let’s get down to it.
Pitbull, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton headline free concerts
Grammy-winning “Mr. Worldwide” and newcomer Benson Boone are coming to town for the March Madness Music Festival April 4-6 at the Tower Park of Hemisfair, on 801 E Cesar Chavez Blvd. The three-day music festival will be free and is first-come, first-served, which means the park will close once it’s reached capacity. The lines will open at 7 a.m. for each festival’s day. No registration is needed. There also is no age requirement.
AT&T Block Party Friday, April 4
- 7 p.m. — Doechii
- 5:15 p.m. — Ravyn Lenae
- 8:45 p.m. — Pitbull
Coca-Cola Live! Saturday, April 5
- 4 p.m. — Willow Avalon
- 5:30 p.m. — T-Pain
- 7:15 p.m. — Jelly Roll
Capital One Jamfest Sunday, April 6
- 3:15 p.m. — Brothers Osborne
- 5 p.m. — Benson Boone
- 6:45 p.m. — Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats
- 8:45 p.m. — Chris Stapleton
Guests can enter through the park’s west and east entrances. A map is available here.
The A&T Block Party on April 4 will have a fast lane for anyone who shows AT&T as their phone carrier or an internet bill through AT&T Fiber. The fast lane opens at 4:30 p.m. and can be accessed from the east entry of Hemisfair Park. Similarly, Capital One also will have priority for their cardholders plus a guest on April 6. Those attending must arrive by 2:30 p.m. and enter through the east gate of the park. Capital One cards must be either Visa or Mastercard bank or credit cards.
Final Four Fan Fest free with bank card, Spurs ticket stubs
While the Men’s Final Four Fan Fest is a $10 ticket event at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, on 900 E Market St., anyone who has a Capital One card can get in for free an hour earlier. Ticket stubs from the San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio Missions or San Antonio FC also count toward free entry for one guest. Anyone who has Final Four game tickets can also enter free.
The fan fest is running every day April 4-7, but general admission is only valid for one day. Kids 12 and under get in free with an adult ticket purchase. With a valid ID, active and non-active military members also get in free with three guests. College students get 50% off with a school ID.
The fan fest includes historical presentations on basketball, basketball shooting games and drills, interactive soundboards, and free haircuts, to name a few.
The schedule for the fan fest is:
- Noon-6 p.m. April 4
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 5
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 6
- Noon-6 p.m. April 7
Tailgate parties to amp up matches and fans
The Men’s Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate is free to the public and happening daily from April 4-7 in Civic Park at Hemisfair, located on 210 S. Alamo St. The tailgates will feature watch parties for the games, activities, giveaways and food and drinks. For the full list of activities, go here.
The schedule for each day is:
- 3-11 p.m. April 4
- 1:30-11 p.m. April 5
- Noon-5 p.m. April 6
- 3-11 p.m. April 7
Watch free Final Four team practices
The public will have a free shot at seeing the Final Four teams practice at the Alamodome, on 100 Montana St., during the Reese’s Men’s Final Four Friday. The doors open at 10 a.m. April 4. The schedule is:
- 11 a.m. Team 1
- Noon Team 2
- 1 p.m. Team 3
- 2 p.m. Team 4
Keep in mind the teams have not been announced, as the deciding matches leading to the semifinals will be March 29-30. For team brackets, go here.
The event will culminate in a National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Game, featuring collegiate senior athletes. The game is at 3:35 p.m. April 4.
Free parking will be available in Lot B of the Alamodome, with free accessible parking in Lot A. Lot A can be accessed off the access road of Interstate Highway 37 and Lot B can be accessed on South Cherry Street.
Will there be a free parade on the San Antonio River?
Yes. The Men’s Final Four River Rally is preceding the matches 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday April 5. The teams’ bands and cheer squads will parade in barges around the Rivercenter Lagoon.
Once there is a winner on Monday, April 7, the Championship River Parade is taking the victorious team to the Arneson River Theater in La Villita, on 418 Villita St. The parade follows the championship match that begins at 7:50 p.m.
Where to park during Final Four events?
A list of public parking and an interactive map including downtown is available here.
What about public transportation?
VIA Metropolitan Transit also has a guide for the championship dates, although there is no reduced or free fares for the events, said Celine Dobbs, manager of strategic communications and programming at VIA Metropolitan Transit. Standard bus or VIA Link shuttle fare is $1.30 one-way, $2.60 roundtrip. Reduced fares are available to students, veterans, and those with a disability.
VIA will have park-and-ride services from 151 Crossroads Blvd. and 12002 Jones Maltsberger Rd. Guests will be dropped off, or picked up, at the intersection of East Nueva Street and Jack White Way.
Park and ride services will run:
- 2:30 p.m.-midnight April 4
- 1 p.m.-midnight April 5
- 12:30-11:30 p.m. April 6
Meanwhile, the schedule for Via Link shuttles is 7 a.m.-11 p.m. every day.
The shuttles have a max capacity of six riders, Dobbs said. A “Final Four Fan Point” will be listed as a virtual pick up or stop area on the Via Link app.
The VIA goMobile+ and the VIA Link apps are available for download on the Apple Store and Play Store. Users can also call 210-655-5465 to request a VIA Link trip.
The City of San Antonio also offers other transportation options here.
What are the Final Four events rules and guidelines?
Folding chairs, stools and blankets are among items not allowed for all fan events. Most bags must be clear or very small.
A map of the event, including event entries, walking paths and road closures, can be accessed here.
Where can I watch the Final Four from home?
The Final Four matches will be broadcasted live on CBS. Here’s where to watch all other NCAA matches leading to the championship.
For those without cable, the Final Four will be streamed on Paramount+ with Showtime; Hulu + Live TV; and Fubo TV. Free trials are available for the subscriptions.
