The NCAA Men’s Final Four teams are locked in folks. Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida will be in town this weekend to battle it out at the Alamodome. Fun fact: The last time the top seeds made it to the Final Four was in 2008 — when we hosted the tournament. What can we say, it’s that 210 magic.
We’re here to break down the Final Four weekend (Saturday, April 5 through Monday, April 7) so you’re game-day ready. Be sure bookmark this page and subscribe to our free daily newsletter to stay in the loop about the latest tournament details.
Before we get started
San Antonio’s downtown is going to be electric with weekend events taking place Friday, April 4 through Monday, April 7. Expect fan activations, watch parties + tailgates, the March Madness Music Festival, a River Walk pep rally, the Men’s Final Four Dribble, and a legacy project.
This marks the fifth time in Alamo City history that San Antonio has hosted the Men’s Final Four, bolstering our reputation as a world-class destination for sporting events.
Fun fact: The weekend’s itinerary is estimated to add ~$440 million to San Antonio’s economy.
Fan events
The following fan events have an entry policy in place and prohibits items such as:
- Noisemakers
- Balls (or any items that can be used as a projectile)
- Folding chairs
- Fireworks
- Weapons
- Drones
There’s also a clear bag policy in effect, make sure you have the correct dimensions before heading out. Here’s the full policy.
NCAA Selection Sunday Watch Party | Sunday, March 16 | 6 p.m. | Frost Plaza at The Rock at La Cantera | Cost of purchase | It’s big reveal time for the official men’s and women’s bracket so celebrate with a huge watch party, giveaways, food + drink options for purchase, and official Fan Jam activities.
NCAA Men’s Final Four Fan Fest | Friday, April 4-Monday, April 7 | Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center | $10+ | You can expect: interactive games, celebrity appearances, autograph sessions, photos with the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship trophy, merch, and more.
March Madness Music Festival | Friday, April 4-Sunday, April 6 | Tower Park at Hemisfair | Free | Doechii, Pitbull, Chris Stapleton, T-Pain, Jelly Roll, and Benson Boone are among the musical acts that you can catch under the facade of the iconic Tower.
Men’s Final Four Friday | Friday, April 4 | Alamodome | Free | Get up close to the competing teams as you watch them practice.
Men’s Final Four River Rally | Saturday, April 5 | Rivercenter Lagoon | Free | Support your favorite team as their cheer squads + bands float along the San Antonio River on iconic river barges.
Men’s Final Four Dribble | Sunday, April 6 | Legacy Park | Free with registration | Participants 18 and under are invited to register for the opportunity to dribble through the streets of downtown with free shirts and basketball.
Men’s Final Four Tip-off Tailgate | Friday, April 4-Monday, April 7 | Civic Park at Hemisfair | Free | Can’t make it to the ‘Dome? No problem. Tailgate with watch parties for the men’s and women’s games featuring giveaways, food + drink purchases, pep rallies, and basketball-themed activities.
Championship River Parade | Sunday, April 6 | Arneson River Theater | Free | Celebrate the champs San Antonio-style with a river parade.
Where to watch (party)
COVER 3, 1806 N. 1604 W.
Order a plate of the Brick Chicken Mac-N-Cheese + Chipotle Ranch Wings as you stay up to date on the latest game scores thanks to its multiple TVs.
Hard Rock Cafe, 111 W. Crockett St.
Already downtown? Perfect. It’s Hoopsmania at the Cafe, expect live coverage, a basketball-themed pop-up bar, beer buckets, and reverse happy hour specials.
Clementine, 2195 NW Military Hwy.
This local staple is opening its doors on Sunday, April 6, 5-9 p.m. for upscale Final Four viewing. Secure your reservation.
River North Icehouse, 317 W. Jones Ave.
Get close to the action as you watch two Barstool Sports live shows on Saturday + Sunday.
Cootey’s Tavern, 8318 Jones Maltsberger Rd. #128
It’s a party with $6 nachos, $4.75 Tito’s Vodka, drink specials, and late-night karaoke after the final whistle.
The Friendly Spot Ice House, 943 S. Alamo St.
Catch the game on its brand new LED screen, outdoor seating, and your favorite cold one.
Parking and transportation
With the festivities come traffic congestion alongside ongoing construction projects, so we’re here to put your parking anxiety at ease with these tips + tricks.
VIA is offering its Park & Ride service to get you to the downtown events, as well as a modified bus route to get you around the festivities. Here are the stops:
- Pick up: Crossroads Park & Ride, 151 Crossroads Blvd.
- Pick up: Blossom Athletic Center, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Rd.
- Drop off: East Nueva Street at Jack White Way
Here are the service times:
- Friday, April 4, 2025 | 2:30 p.m. to Midnight
- Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 1 p.m. to Midnight
- Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
VIA is also offering its Link service for on demand ride share. Our friends at KENS 5 are keeping its Final Four traffic report up to date with daily closures, weekend closures, and detours.
Parking at the Alamodome is free in Lot B for those attending the Reese’s Men’s Final Four Friday on April 4. No public parking will be offered during the Final Four games.
Traffic + road closures
There will be a plethora of road closures, detours, and congestion during the Final Four weekend. The San Antonio Express-News put together this informative piece about all of the closures ahead of the events. Give it a read if you’re making the trek downtown — or want to avoid it altogether.
Check out the official map below.
Community initiatives
As we say goodbye to the tournament — and look forward to hosting future games in 2026 + 2027 — the NCAA isn’t leaving town without giving San Antonio a souvenir.
The Men’s Final Four Legacy Project will be presented to The Boys & Girls Club Rayburn Clubhouse gymnasium, and feature a renovation to the facility and upgrades that the entire community can use.
“The Men’s Final Four is more than just a basketball tournament. It’s a celebration of community, teamwork and legacy,” says Executive Director of SALOC Elena Wells. “We look forward to making this year’s event truly unforgettable.”