ICYMI– Columbia won their bid to host the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament first + second round games during the weekend of March 22-24, 2019; beating out other cities in the Southeast. This is good news for all of S.C., as the tournament is expecting up to 20-25K visitors + a $9M economic return.

If you’re a hoops fan headed to the Capital City for the tourney, here’s what you should know:

There’s a whole website dedicated to the event– bookmark it here.
Open practice is Thursday (and it’s free). See the full schedule of games here.
Game rounds are Friday and Saturday, and tickets are going fast– buy them directly from NCAA.
Hotel rooms + Airbnbs are expected to fill up right after Selection Sunday. #ProTip: Go ahead and book your digs.
Gameday shuttles will be free from satellite parking areas at Gamecock Park off of Bluff Rd. and the former Kline Iron & Steel site at the corner of Huger + Gervais. See transportation deets here.
Lots of restaurants and bars are offering basketball-themed food + drink specials or hosting themed events– like a Taco Tipoff + a craft beer Single Elimination Tournament. See all community events here.
There’ll be a free Fan Fest celebration Thursday + Friday at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, presented by Segra.

Look for other, non-basketball events happening in the city that weekend– like Arts & Draughts (beer + art), Soda City Suds Week (more craft beer), Commissioner’s Cup BBQ Cook-Off + Festival, Deckle Edge literary festival, a ‘zine’ event + the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic outdoors show. Truly something for everyone in between games.

This content was created in partnership with Experience Columbia SC.