From parking and watch parties to tipoff times and the music festival, here’s what you should know before heading downtown.
SAN ANTONIO — The Final Four frenzy has reached a fever pitch.
With the arrival of the last surviving teams in the NCAA men’s tournament and downtown San Antonio transformed into a college basketball wonderland, the Alamo City once again becomes the capital of the sport’s world.
It isn’t just fun for March Madness fans that this weekend is providing, though. It’s also a chance to jam out to major musicians, enjoy family activities at the convention center and even meet some beloved Spurs icons as well.
The preparation is done and the festivities – many of them free! – start in earnest on Friday. Here’s what you need to know, starting with a rundown of the biggest events.
Final Four Fan Fest
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center has turned into an oasis of sports celebrities, interactive games and entertainment for families to partake in. The Fan Fest runs Friday through Monday and features a whole schedule of attraction and appearances to take advantage of.
Are you a die-hard Spurs fan? David Robinson, Avery Johnson, Bruce Bowen and others will stop by to sign autographs.
Looking to speed your way through an obstacle course? Lace up those shoes; you’ll get your chance.
Missed out on tickets to Saturday’s semifinal games? No matter, the Fan Fest will host its own watch party that evening to enjoy the action from right across the highway.
Children 12 and under can get into the Fan Fest for free, while tickets cost $10 for teens and adults. But students, military members and others can take advantage of discounts.
Find out more here.
Music Festival
One of the hottest events at any San Antonio-hosted Final Four are the free concerts that take over the heart of the city, and 2025’s event is bringing some heavy hitters to Tower Park.
The AT&T Block Party on Friday will be headlined by rappers Pitbull and recent Grammy winner Doechii. Saturday Coca Cola Live! experience sees Jelly Roll, T-Pain and Willow Avalon as the main entertainment. And Sunday will be for the country music lovers, when Chris Stapleton, Benson Boone and others anchor the Capital One JamFest.
The concerts are completely free to attend, but space is limited, so make sure to arrive early. See the full lineup for each day below:
- Friday – AT&T Block Party
- Doors open: 4:30 p.m.
- Ravyn Lenae: 5:15 p.m.
- Doechii: 7 p.m.
- Pitbull: 8:45 p.m.
- Festival ends: 10 p.m.
- Saturday – Coca Cola Live!
- Doors open: 3 p.m.
- Willow Avalon: 4 p.m.
- T-Pain: 5:30 p.m.
- Jelly Roll: 7:15 p.m.
- Festival ends: 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday – Capital One JamFest
- Doors open: 2:30 p.m.
- Brothers Osborne: 3:15 p.m.
- Benson Boone: 5 p.m.
- Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats: 6:45 p.m.
- Chris Stapleton: 8:45 p.m.
- Festival ends: 10:30 p.m.
Reese’s Men’s Final Four Friday
Tickets to the Final Four games won’t come cheap.
The good news: If you’re looking to catch Cooper Flagg and some of the sport’s other elite athletes in action, you can do so on Friday for free.
Amid this week’s packed schedule of fan events is the Reese’s Men’s Final Four Friday at the Alamodome. Organizers tout a variety of activities for sports-loving families, but the headlining attraction is the ability to catch this year’s Final Four teams in open practice.
Doors to the Alamodome open at 10 a.m. Here’s when each squad is scheduled to take the floor:
- 11 a.m. – Florida Gators
- Noon – Auburn Tigers
- 1 p.m. – Houston Cougars
- 2 p.m. – Duke Blue Devils
Click here to learn more about the event, including what will and won’t be allowed inside the Alamodome.
Full schedule of events
- Final Four Fan Fest, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- River Rally, Rivercenter Lagoon at River Walk – 11 a.m. (Free)
- Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate, Civic Park – 1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Free)
- March Madness Music Fest, Tower Park – 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Free)
- Final Four Dribble, Travis Park – 10 a.m. (Free with registration)
- Final Four Fan Fest, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate, Civic Park – Noon to 5 p.m. (Free)
- March Madness Music Fest, Tower Park – 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (Free)
Is there a bag policy?
Yes, and you’ll want to make sure you follow it so you’re not turned away at some of the biggest events.
The NCAA is prohibited most backpacks, purses, camera bags, binoculars cases, fanny packs, seat cushions, and printed-pattern plastic bags at the Alamodome, Musical Fest, Fan Fest and Tip-Off Tailgate.
You can still carry your belongings in, but it will have be in a bag with certain dimensions at detailed below.
There’s also a list of things you won’t be able to bring into those events, including guns, animals (except for service animals), noisemakers, e-cigarettes or vapes, outside food or drinks, fireworks, folding chairs, laser pointers, drugs, selfie sticks, large flags, skateboards, or hoverboards. See the full list here.
Will it rain?
It’s possible.
But the likeliest chance for severe weather to dampen the festivities this weekend is late Friday night heading into Saturday night, well after most Friday events have concluded.
At this point, it’s also appearing that the worst storms will stick to our north, with San Antonio mainly in line for showers and a bit of lightning. Still, the threat is there for large hail in our region.
Who are the Final Four teams this year, anyway?
That would be Duke, Auburn, Houston and Florida. They made some history by punching their tickets to San Antonio; this is just the second time that all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four stage of the men’s tourney.
Florida and Tigers kick off the first semifinal game at 5:09 p.m. CT Saturday, with Duke and Houston following them. The championship game tips off Monday at 7:50 p.m.
You can watch all three games on KENS 5.
Transportation and parking
Parking at the Alamodome will be first come, first serve for some events and off-limits on others. VIA Park & Ride will also be running most days.
Click here for more on parking, transportation and road closures.
I’m not heading to the games. Where can I watch them?
You’re in luck! All the games will be broadcast on KENS 5, and there are a couple spots to watch with other college basketball fans in town.
- Final Four Fan Fest (convention center): Semifinals Watch Party
- Tip-Off Tailgate (Civic Park): Semifinals and Championship Watch Party