What To Know About 2021 March Madness In Indianapolis
By Anna Gallegos
March 3, 2021
The stage is nearly set for March Madness in Indianapolis.
Indy is no stranger when it comes to hosting the Final Four, but this will be the first time the entire tournament is in Indiana. That means 169 basketball games in 33 days.
However, expect less fanfare and fewer events surrounding the tournament. Because of the pandemic, teams will be in a bubble (or "semi-controlled environment") inside their hotels when they're not on the court.
Here's what to know about March Madness in Indy before the tournament tips off on March 18:
Schedule:
- Selection Sunday — 6 p.m. ET March 14
- First Four — 4 p.m. start on Thursday, March 18 at Mackey Arena and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
- First round — 12 p.m. start on Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20 at Mackey Arena, Assembly Hall, Bankers Life, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Farmers Coliseum and Lucas Oil Stadium
- Second round — 12 p.m. start on Sunday, March 21, and Monday, March 22 at Bankers Life, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Farmers Coliseum and Lucas Oil Stadium
- Sweet 16 — 2 p.m. start on Saturday, March 27, and 1 p.m. start on Sunday, March 28 at Bankers Life and Hinkle Fieldhouse
- Elite Eight — 7 p.m. start on Monday, March 29, and 6 p.m. start on Tuesday, March 30 at Lucas Oil Stadium
- Final Four — 5 p.m. start on Saturday, April 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium
- NCAA championship game — 9 p.m. Monday, April 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium
Attending games:
Because of COVID-19, the NCAA is allowing up to 25% capacity at all host arenas for all rounds. Fans will also be required to wear masks and socially distance at games.
Here's around how many tickets will be available per arena:
- Indiana University is allowing 500 fans per game at Assembly Hall.
- Farmers Coliseum will be at 25% capacity (around 1,700 fans)
- Mackey Arena will be at 12-13% capacity (around 1,850 fans)
- Hinkle Fieldhouse will be at 25% capacity (around 2,275 fans)
- Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be at 25% capacity (around 4,500 fans)
- Lucas Oil Stadium will be at 25% capacity (around 17,500 fans)
Tickets for the First Four go on sale on March 4 at 10 a.m. You can sign up at the NCAA website to receive notifications when tickets to later rounds go on sale.
TV schedule:
- First Four: truTV, TBS
- First Round: CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV
- Second Round: CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV
- Sweet 16: CBS (afternoon games), TBS (primetime games)
- Elite Eight: CBS on Monday, TBS on Tuesday
- Final Four: CBS
- NCAA championship game: CBS
Photo: Getty Images