NCAA, Houston Local Organizing Committee unveil upcoming family-friendly ancillary events during 2023 Men's Final Four® March 31-April 3

POSTED: January 19, 2023 -- 1:20 p.m. CT

On January 18, the Houston Local Organizing Committee (HLOC) and 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four announced the free and affordable events surrounding the upcoming Men’s Final Four Division I Men’s Basketball tournament's National Championship Week in Houston. These ancillary events will give college basketball fans the opportunity to celebrate in free and low-cost ways, with family-friendly activities throughout National Championship Week from March 31 through April 3, 2023:

• Men's Final Four Fan Fest® (March 31-April 3): Located downtown at George R. Brown Convention Center throughout National Championship Week. Tickets will be available starting in January, including half-off promotional tickets. Admission is free for kids 12 and under, Capital One Cardholders and Men's Final Four Semifinal and National Championship ticket holders.
• March Madness Music Festival®, Capital One and Coca-Cola (March 31-April 2): Local and big-name artists will take the stage at Houston downtown hub Discovery Green throughout the free music festival. There is no cost for tickets; hopeful attendees must register online at ncaa.com/mensfinalfour.
• Reese's Men's Final Four Friday® (March 31): This free event at NRG Stadium showcases open practices for the participating Men's Final Four teams, as well as the top senior student-athletes from around the country in the Reese's NABC All-Star Game.
• Men's Final Four 4 Miler (April 1): A four-mile long scenic course along Allen Parkway, branded shirts and commemorative medals for finishers make this race one-of-a-kind. Runners can head to ncaa.com/mensfinalfour to be notified when registration opens Feb. 1 and get a special code for $10 off registration.
• Men's Final Four Dribble® (April 2): 3,200 kids 18 and under, alongside their guardians, will dribble a one-mile course through Downtown Houston from City Hall to Fan Fest. Participants will receive a one-of-a-kind NCAA Men's Final Four Dribble Wilson basketball and branded T-shirt, those interested can register free of charge at ncaa.com/mensfinalfour.
• Men's Final Four Tip-off Tailgate® (March 31, April 1 & 3): Semifinal and National Championship game ticket holders can celebrate in the Blue Lot at NRG Stadium with team pep rallies, musical performances and basketball-themed tailgate games, as well as food and beverages.

HLOC and NCAA executives also revealed the recipient of the 2023 Legacy Project®. This year, the Blue Triangle Center (3005 McGowen St.) will receive a full basketball court renovation to help create a true basketball and sports destination in Houston's Third Ward. Unilever®, and its retail partner, H-E-B®, will be stepping in to beautify the facility's exterior.

“With the renovations at the Blue Triangle Center and the events surrounding National Championship week, culminating in the Semifinal and Championship games April 1 and 3, we are excited for basketball fans from Houston and all over the country to be part of college basketball's biggest celebration,” NCAA Vice President of Men's Basketball Dan Gavitt said.

“Our goal was to make sure that everyone who wanted to be part of the 2023 Men’s Final Four had the opportunity, and these free and budget-friendly ancillary events offer a chance for everyone to join in the celebration,” HLOC President Holly Kesterson said.

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