Fiserv Forum hosts NCAA Tournament; practice sessions open to public
MILWAUKEE - The NCAA Tournament is coming to Milwaukee – and excitement is building.
The event operators at Fiserv Forum revealed on Monday morning, March 14 that there will be an open practice on Thursday for the eight teams that will be coming to Milwaukee.
"We just couldn’t be more thrilled to make this really Wisconsin’s place to be during this next week," said Michael Belot, Senior Vice President of Bucks Ventures and Development.
Doors open to the public at 10 a.m. – and the following teams will be on the court to practice during these times.
- Yale: 11 a.m.
- Virginia Tech: 11:45 a.m.
- Purdue: 12:30 p.m.
- Texas: 1:15 p.m.
- LSU: 3:25 p.m.
- Wisconsin: 4:10 p.m.
- Iowa State: 4:55 p.m.
- Colgate: 5:40 p.m.
Fiserv Forum
Following is the schedule of games for Fiserv Forum:
- Friday, March 18: Session 1 1 p.m. – Yale University Bulldogs vs. Purdue University Boilermakers 3:30 p.m. – Virginia Tech Hokies vs. University of Texas Longhorns
- 1 p.m. – Yale University Bulldogs vs. Purdue University Boilermakers
- 3:30 p.m. – Virginia Tech Hokies vs. University of Texas Longhorns
- Friday, March 18: Session 2 6:20 p.m. – Iowa State University Cyclones vs. Louisiana State University Tigers 8:50 p.m. – Colgate University Raiders vs. University of Wisconsin Badgers
- 6:20 p.m. – Iowa State University Cyclones vs. Louisiana State University Tigers
- 8:50 p.m. – Colgate University Raiders vs. University of Wisconsin Badgers
- Sunday, March 20: Session 3Pending results of first and second sessions
- Pending results of first and second sessions
General public sales are sold out, but tickets may still be purchased through the NCAA Fan Experience™ and the official NCAA Ticket Exchange.
""We are very excited about these eight teams to come and play in our arena to showcase what the arena can do as well as Milwaukee," said Katelyn Bogrand, VP Event Operations, Fiserv Forum.
The practice sessions are free to the public. Officials say parking at the two structures nearby will be just $5.
One other perk for college basketball fans who might not be able to get a ticket to the games – the Deer District beer garden will be open.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android
"Anybody who has a ticket obviously is going to have a tremendous experience inside Fiserv Forum. But what I think is cool is you're also going to be able to have that experience outside -- a little taste of what you felt in the (NBA) playoffs last year," Belot said.
There will be no restrictions inside Fiserv Forum or the Deer District – no capacity limits, mask or vaccine requires per the city guidelines.
Belot also touted the reopening of Punch Bowl Social in the Deer District – which has been shut down since the beginning of the pandemic.
"We’re just thrilled to welcome everybody back here for St. Patrick’s Day the NCAA tournament and the entire rest of the week," said Belot.
Michael Belot
Officials tell FOX6 News the economic impact for the NCAA tournament weekend will be about $6.5 million – and roughly 18,000 people are expected to travel to Milwaukee.
Featured
Waukesha Christmas Parade: Community fund raises $6.2M+
The United for Waukesha Community Fund will provide nearly $6 million of supportive funding to more than 560 individuals impacted by the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack.
Featured
Racine shooting: Man in critical condition, shot in stolen vehicle
Racine police are investigating a shooting that happened Sunday, March 13. The victim is in critical condition.
Featured
ID for Spring Election; DMV offers information
The Wisconsin 2022 Spring Election is weeks away and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds voters how to obtain identification, free of charge, that is valid for voting.