The National Association of Basketball Coaches initiated a Basketball Championship in the spring of 1939, based on single elimination play among 8 teams. In 1940, the NCAA took over, and as of 2010, 65 teams compete for the coveted NCAA trophy, the National Association of Basketball Coaches trophy, and the right to cut down the basketball net. The 2010 Final 4 will be held on April 3 and 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, IN at the Lucas Oil Stadium. If you're planning on going, there are a few things you're going to need.
Final Four Ticket Information
If you don't already have tickets, Final Four Tickets are very hard to get. PrimeSport, the Official Ticket & Hospitality Package Provider for the NCAA Men's Final Four, still has a limited number of packages available which include hotel accommodations with or without tickets or just tickets. You can check them out here.http://www.primesport.com/sports/ncaahoops-packages.asp
The NCAA, following the 1997 Championship, put in a stipulation that any city hosting the Final Four Tournaments was banned from scalping tickets for more than $10.00 over the ticket face value. Scalping tickets in Indianapolis is not against the law and consequently, the provision is totally ignored. (To read the entire story go here).http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=822936
There a number of websites offering tickets for sale to the "Big Dance" but buyer beware. Before you give out your credit card information, make sure it's a reputable company.
Most of the "Final Four Tickets" are distributed in a lottery, usually held in January. If you'd like to plan ahead, the arenas and locations for the next 6 Final Four Tournaments are:
- 2011: Reliant Stadium, Houston TX
- 2012: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
- 2013: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
- 2014: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX
- 2015: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
- 2016: Reliant Stadium, Houstonhttp://basketball.about.com/od/ncaatournament/tp/final-four-venues.htm</r>
Final Four 2010 Hotels and Attractions
Now you need somewhere to stay. There are a few things to keep in mind. Hotels closest to the arenas will usually charge a higher nightly rate than those further away. During special events, some hotels will require that you make a deposit, or some require full payment at the time of booking. They may also ask you to sign a contract. Some of these hotel packages are nonrefundable, so before you agree to anything, make sure that you are definitely going. You can "sell" your room to someone else if you're not able to go, but you can't change the name on the reservation nor the form of payment. The person that goes in your place can give his name and credit card information at the desk at check-in, but remember that it will be your name on the reservation and you may be liable for any damages or extra charges accrued for that room number.
Prior to the event, you can call the hotel and tell them that the credit card that you used should only be used for "room, only." This means that any additional charges should not be put against that particular card. Some hotels also require that you stay a minimum of 2 or 3 nights. You will be charged the full amount if you leave early, no matter what the reason. Before you make any hotel reservation, make sure that you understand the cancellation policy. If you have any questions, get them clarified before you give your credit card information by calling the hotel directly. If you are a member of AAA or AARP, check for any discounts. Usually during special events, the hotels won't allow any discounts, but it never hurts to ask. AAA members can also pick up one of the tour books for that particular state. In the hotel section, the hotels that offer discounts are listed or you can check the Internet by entering: "AAA hotels in (city name), (state)" and you will get a list of the AAA hotels in that area. If you belong to a hotel frequent traveler reward program, such as Holiday Inn Priority Club, HiltonHonors, etc., go to their web site to check for any lower rates.
Visitindy.com/finalfour is a site maintained by the Indianapolis Convention Center that lists the available hotels, the distance from the arena, minimum night stay requirements, and price range. By clicking on the name of the hotel, you will be directed to that particular site where a full list of amenities are listed, price ranges, and a reservation form. Clicking on a room type on the reservation screen should bring up detailed information about the room amenities (refrigerators, coffee makers, internet access, bed types, etc). Once you find the type of room you're looking for follow the instructions for making the reservation. You will have to provide your credit card number at the time of booking. Again, make sure you read the information carefully.http://visitindy.com/finalfour
If you are not comfortable making your own reservations, you can call a local travel agency and ask for their help. There may or may not be a fee attached for this service.
Indianapolis Attractions
The NCAA Hall of Champions would undoubtedly be a perfect stop for all of the basketball fans attending the games, but Indianapolis has a variety of other attractions to enjoy. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame is there for car racing enthusiasts. Or for history buffs, visit Conner Prairie. For a full list of attractions go to Visitindy.com and click on the "things to do tab."
