NCAA to host events in downtown Phoenix, Glendale before Valley’s first Final Four

Oct 6, 2016, 5:24 AM | Updated: 11:21 am
(Facebook Photo)...
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)

PHOENIX — The NCAA Final Four is coming to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale this spring, but that won’t be the only event in store for basketball fans around the Valley.

The Phoenix Local Organizing Committee announced this week that the NCAA, alongside its corporate partners and Turner Live Events, will host four events in downtown Phoenix and Glendale leading up to the Final Four.

PLOC Executive Director Dawn Rogers said the events offer a different type of fan experience for those who aren’t able to get into the games.

“These diverse, exciting events will allow everyone to join in the celebration of the Valley’s first Final Four,” she said. “You don’t have to have a ticket to the games to experience this iconic event, and you don’t have to be a basketball fan to join in the fun.”

The events get going on March 31 with Final Four Friday at University of Phoenix Stadium. Beginning at 11 a.m., each of the participating Final Four teams will hold one-hour practices open to the public free of charge.

Downtown Phoenix will kick off two events the same day. Final Four Fan Fest will run March 31 through April 3 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The Fan Fest will feature youth clinics, interactive games as well as special appearances and autograph sessions.

In addition, the NCAA March Madness Music Festival will be held at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix from March 31 to April 2. The three-day music festival will feature free concerts from both local and national recording artists.

The last event to get started will be the Final Four Dribble on Sunday, April 2 in downtown Phoenix. Thousands of children who registered online will receive basketballs to dribble along a route ending at the Fan Fest entrance.

For updates on any of the four events, visit the Final Four Phoenix 2017 website.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

In this photo provided by Navajo Technical University, graduates at the school stand during a cerem...
Associated Press

Navajo Tech 1st among tribal universities to offer PhD

A school on the largest Native American reservation in the U.S. launched its accredited doctoral program, becoming the first tribal college or university in the country to offer such a high level degree.
16 hours ago
A Salt River Project team samples the snowpack in Happy Jack, between Payson and Flagstaff, on Feb....
KTAR.com

Arizona’s high country could see more snow throughout next week

The National Weather Service says more snow could be coming to the Flagstaff area Saturday and again at the end of next week.
16 hours ago
(KTAR News Photo/Taylor Tasler)...
KTAR.com

Officer shot in ‘ambush’ in south Phoenix, suspect arrested for attempted murder

An officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot Friday morning by a suspect who was identified on Saturday.
16 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park)...
KTAR.com

Phoenix’s Pueblo Grande Museum changing name to reflect Indigenous heritage

The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park in Phoenix is changing its name to reflect the site's Indigenous history.
16 hours ago
Courtesy Maricopa County....
KTAR.com

New $61 million Southeast Justice Center opens in Mesa

Members of the Board of Supervisors, Justice Courts and Superior Court celebrated the opening of the Southeast Justice Center Wednesday.
16 hours ago
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)...
KTAR.com

2 arrested in Mexico on charges of human smuggling in Arizona

Two people are facing human smuggling charges in Arizona after being arrested in Mexico, authorities announced Wednesday.
16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...
Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.
...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
(Photo via MLB's Arizona Fall League / Twitter)...
Arizona Fall League

Top prospects to watch at this year’s Arizona Fall League

One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday.
NCAA to host events in downtown Phoenix, Glendale before Valley’s first Final Four