FAQ’s
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
The Greater Columbus Hospitality Community
Eric Archibald, GCSC Director of Events
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Frequently Asked Questions for NCAA Division I
Men’s Basketball – Second and Third Rounds
Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22
To ensure that Columbus maintains its strong reputation in service and hospitality for sporting events we
host, here is a guide of FAQ’s and answers for March Madness coming to our city. This guide will be
updated after “Selection Sunday” when the teams in the Columbus bracket are announced along with the
schedule for games and practices. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at
[email protected]. Follow us via sportsincbus.com, Facebook and Twitter for updates!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – PAGE 1
Q:
What is the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament?
A:
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) holds tournaments each year to
determine its Division I National Champion in men’s basketball. Sixty-eight teams qualify
for the men’s tournament. The tournament best known as “March Madness” lasts three
weeks and culminates in the “Final Four,” which is held in Indianapolis this year.
Eight men’s teams – representing colleges and universities from around the country – will
be in Columbus for the weekend, arriving on Wednesday, to participate in the tournament.
Q:
What does the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament competition consist of?
A:
The six games of the 2015 Second and Third Rounds in Columbus will be played at
Nationwide Arena in the Arena District on Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22 with
four games on Friday and two games on Sunday. The first two games in the afternoon on
Friday will make up Session 1 and the second two Friday evening making up Session 2,
with the two games on Sunday making up Session 3. The winners of the two games will
advance to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional Finals, also known as the “Sweet 16”.
Q:
When will we know which eight NCAA teams will be competing in Columbus?
A:
The NCAA announced on Sunday, March 15, 2015 which teams have been selected to
participate in Columbus’ bracket of the NCAA Tournament. The teams that will be coming
to Columbus are Albany, Buffalo, Dayton, Maryland, Oklahoma, Providence Valparaiso
and West Virginia.
Update: 3/16/15
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – PAGE 2
Q:
What times will the games be played at Nationwide Arena?
A:
On Sunday, March 16, the NCAA announced game times for all Second & Third Round
tournament games. On Friday, there will be two doubleheaders with game times as follows:
The Friday, March 20 game times are:
Session 1-Game 1 | #5 West Virginia vs. #12 Buffalo, 2:20 p.m. ET (TNT)
Session 1-Game 2 | #4 Maryland vs. #13 Valparaiso, approximately 4:40 p.m. ET (TNT)
Session 2-Game 1 | #3 Oklahoma vs. #14 Albany, 7:27 p.m. (truTV)
Session 2-Game 2 | #6 Providence vs. #11 Dayton, approximately 9:57 p.m. (truTV)
There will also be a doubleheader on Sunday. Those game times will be announced Friday
night/early Saturday morning after Friday’s games are played.
Q:
How do you buy tickets for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Second and Third Round
games in Columbus?
A:
The games are for the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Second/Third
Rounds in Columbus are not sold out. Fans can purchase tickets via ticketmaster at the
following link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/41498/1239566?brand=ncaa or
by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Tickets can also be purchased at the Big Lots Box Office at Nationwide Arena. For more
information about upcoming events at Nationwide Arena, please call (614) 246-2000.
Q:
How can I find out about group tickets or hospitality packages?
A:
The group tickets and hospitality packages for NCAA Men’s Basketball Second and Third
Round games in Columbus are sold out.
Q:
Where can you buy game merchandise?
A:
Fans can purchase game merchandise on site during the games at Nationwide Arena.
Update: 3/16/15
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – PAGE 3
Q:
How do I get a Columbus visitors guide or Columbus map?
A:
Visitors guides and maps are available by calling 1-866-EXP-COLS (397-2657) or by
download from www.ExperienceColumbus.com, our convention and visitors bureau.
Q:
How do I make hotel reservations for the games?
A:
To find out more about the hotels in Columbus you can:
 Request a visitor guide listing Columbus hotels by calling 1-866-EXP-COLS (397-2657)
 Visit Experience Columbus, our convention and visitors bureau at
www.ExperienceColumbus.com and click on “Stay Here” for a wide variety of
information about hotels and the ability to book your reservation online.
Q:
Where can I get more information about the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament?
A:
Visit www.sportsincbus.com and http://www.ncaa.com/mens-final-four-championshiphome and for information specifically related to the Second & Third Rounds at Nationwide
Arena, you can call 614-292-2624.
Q:
How can I show my support for Columbus’ efforts to host the NCAA Men’s Basketball Second and Third Rounds?
A:
The Sports Commission will be distributing information and buttons to businesses
beginning on March 18. The posters and buttons are a great way to show your support and
say “thanks” to the players, coaches and fans that are visiting Columbus for the
tournaments. To obtain posters and buttons, contact Eric Archibald at
[email protected].
Q:
What other fan activities are planned during the Second and Third rounds?
A:
There are local fan activities planned for the weekend of March 20th around Nationwide
Arena. The following locations are the local host bars:




Update: 3/16/15
Boston’s – West Virginia, Albany
Three Legged Mare – Maryland, Dayton
R Bar – Buffalo, Providence
Gordon Biersch – Valpo, Oklahoma
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – PAGE 4
Q:
What about public transportation?
A:
COTA has extended CBUS hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The hours can be found
on www.cota.com
Q:
Are the NCAA men’s basketball team practices open to the public?
A:
The teams will practice on Thursday, before Friday’s game and that practice will be open to
the public. The advancing team’s second practice on Saturday will be closed. Further
details will be announced closer to the week of the games.
Practice Schedule
Noon-12:40 p.m. Buffalo
12:45-1:25 p.m.
Valparaiso
1:30-2:10 p.m.
West Virginia
2:15-2:55 p.m.
Maryland
4:25-5:05 p.m.
Oklahoma
5:10-5:50 p.m.
Providence
5:55-6:35 p.m.
Albany
6:40-7:20 p.m.
Boise St./Dayton
Update: 3/16/15
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