The eyes of NCAA Division I college basketball will turn to Wichita as it hosts its first men’s tournament in 24 years. Prepare yourself to play angry and cheer on your favorite team at one of the many inexpensive or FREE events during March Madness’s first weekend.
View and print a map of the activities numbered 1-14 below here.
A note on parking: They don’t call it March Madness for nothing! If you can arrange for a ride to and from the downtown area, you’ll be super happy that you did. (We like madness and anger in our basketball, but not when we’re driving.) Otherwise, you can check out Downtown Wichita’s parking tips and interactive parking map to help you find a spot.
Once you’re in the area, you can hop the Q-line Trolley to get around downtown/Delano.
Tickets to the tournament may still be available through Select-A-Seat or the NCAA Ticket Exchange.
1. Fan Fest
Fan Fest is a great way to take in the atmosphere of the first round of the tournament without a ticket. Quench your thirst at the beer garden or grab a meal from food trucks such as BS Sandwich Press, Uno Mas, Funky Monkey Munchies and Flying Stove. With multiple viewing areas, a live DJ and games, there will be something for everyone to experience.
- Location: William and St. Francis streets near Naftzger Memorial Park – 698 E William St, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Thursday, March 15 beginning two hours before tip-off
- Website | Admission: FREE | Outdoors
2. Party on the Patio at Lou’s Place
Lou’s Place is the adjacent restaurant to INTRUST Bank Arena’s north entrance. Breakfast, burgers and BBQ will be served through the tournament. St Patrick’s Day activities include bagpipers as well as corned beef and hash plates.
- Location: Lou’s Place – 220 S Commerce, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Tuesday, March 13 – Saturday, March 17 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Website | Admission: FREE | Indoors + Patio
3. Courtside on Commerce Street – The Alley to Excitement
Wichita’s Commerce Street Art District will transform into a basketball lover’s paradise over the tournament weekend. Activities include a block party, live music, art, vendors and a cocktail bar. Presented by Xclusive Event Services. Visit website for a detailed schedule.
- Location: Multiple locations, see below for venues
- Hours: Wednesday, March 14 and Friday, Match 16 4:00 – 10:00 pm; Thursday, March 15 and Saturday, March 17 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Website | Admission: FREE, Electric Closet Pop-Up Bar $5 6:00 – 10:00 pm and $10 after 10:00 pm | Indoors + Outdoors + Patio
Participating Commerce Street Locations/Activities
- Electric Closet Pop-Up Bar – 414 S Commerce St
- Finn’s Tavern – 430 S Commerce St
- The Hudson Venue – 508 S Commerce St
- Courture Speakeasy – 520 S Commerce St
- Tin Shaker Cocktail Truck – S Commerce St
4. Bracket Bash
Wichita Festivals is partnering with Barleycorn’s to create a festive hoops atmosphere directly south of the arena. Fans can chow down on burgers and brats from the Wichita Wagonmasters, scoop up treats from Hiland Dairy and grab a Pizza Hut pizza by the slice. A variety of beer, cocktails and soft drinks will be available along with a coffee bar by PrairieFire Roasters. Carnival favorites Skee-Ball and Pop-a-Shot will also be featured.
- Location: South of INTRUST Bank Arena on 500 block of E Waterman St, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17 Morning – Night, exact times based on March Madness tip-off times
- Website | Admission: FREE | Outdoors
5. Wichita Brewing Company Tailgate Party
Wichita Brewing Company will host a tailgate directly west of INTRUST Bank Arena with four TVs for patrons to watch throughout the day. Food trucks include WBC’s own Hopperoni Express serving wood fired pizzas as well as Noble House Hawaiian’s plate lunch and sushi. Basketball fans can also partake in cornhole, giant jenga, ladder golf and more.
- Location: West of INTRUST Bank Arena on 300 block of S Emporia St, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Wednesday, March 14 11:00 am – 6:00 pm; Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17 9:00 am – Midnight
- Website | Admission: FREE | Outdoors
6. Battle of the Brackets ICT
Just steps away from INTRUST Bank Arena, Battle of the Brackets is an an all-inclusive event offering food, drinks, games and live music. Experience incredible views of downtown Wichita inside Brick + Mortar’s 7,000-foot outdoor glass tent and experience pad, featuring fire pits, video walls and live entertainment.
Brick + Mortar will host the KU Alumni Association’s official pep rally and spirit squad on Thursday beginning at 11 am. Jayhawk merchandise will also be available for sale, courtesy of Rally House.
- Location: Brick + Mortar Venue – 229 S Emporia St, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: See schedule below for more information
- Website | Admission: Watch parties are free, individual event covers will vary | Indoors + Patio
Daily Schedule
- Sunday, March 11 — Sunday FUNday Selection Party; 11:00 am – 11:00 pm; FREE
- Wednesday, March 14 — Kick-Off Party 5:00 pm – Midnight; FREE
- Thursday, March 15
- Pregame and Watch Party — 9:00 am – 8:00 pm; FREE
- Kansas Jayhawks Pep Rally, presented by the KU Alumni Association — 11:00 am; FREE
- Piano Playoffs & Afterparty — 8:00 pm – 2:00 am; $10 GA, $200 and $500 VIP
- Friday, March 16
- Wichita State Shockers Watch Party — 11:00 am – 3:00 pm; FREE
- Basketball, Booze & Boots (Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and Miss Kansas Organization benefit concert featuring Adam Capps and Jason Callahan Band); 6:00 pm – 2:00 am; $20 in advance, $25 at the door
- Saturday, March 17
- IRISH FEST Pancake Feed — 8:00 am – 11:30 am; $12 Adults, $10 Kids (10 and under)
- Watch Party — 11:30 am – 8:00 pm; FREE
- Piano Playoffs & Afterparty 2 — 8:00 pm – 2:00 am; $10 GA, $200 and $500 VIP
7. Hoosiers Screening at the Orpheum Theatre
Get into the basketball fever as the historic Orpheum Theatre will host a screening of the classic sports drama Hoosiers. The story follows failed college coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) who gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to direct the basketball program at a high school in a tiny Indiana town. Doors open at 6:00 pm for pre-show games and a happy hour.
- Location: Orpheum Theatre – 200 N. Broadway St., Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Friday, March 17 7:00 pm
- Website | Admission: $8 General Admission seating | Indoors
8. Brews and Basketball at Third Place Brewing
Third Place Brewing is one of Wichita newest entries in the local brewing scene. Basketball fans may sample offerings such as the Peach Wheat, Rally’s and St. Pat’s Shillelagh. Let ’em Eat Brats’s food truck and street tacos by Chef Roberto will be served.
- Location: Third Place Brewing – 808 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March 17 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Website | Admission: FREE | Indoors + Patio
9. Biggins Alley & Patio Party
Emerson Biggins offers the ultimate basketball fan experience with over 40 TVs, beer pong, a bag tournament, live DJ and slam dunk contest. St. Patrick Day festivities will include bagpipers and traditional Irish meals.
- Location: Emerson Biggins Old Town – 808 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Wednesday, March 14 – Friday, March 17 11:00 am – Midnight; Saturday, March 18 9:00 am – Midnight
- Website | Admission: FREE | Indoors + Patio
10. Brickyard Bash
The Brickyard is Old Town Wichita’s signature outdoor patio and an easy choice for new visitors to the area. Live music will start at 8:00 pm each night (weather permitting). The adjacent restaurant, Public at the Brickyard, will offer Sunday brunch beginning at 10:00 am as well as St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
- Location: Public at the Brickyard – 129 N. Rock Island, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17 1:00 pm – 2:00 am; Sunday, March 18 Brunch beginning at 10:00 am
- Website | Admission: FREE, $5 cover after 8:00 pm Saturday | Indoors + Patio
11. Hotel at Old Town Pop-Up Pub
The luxurious Hotel at Old Town hosts a pop-up pub and five screen viewing party in an outdoor patio setting. This activity will take place each day from 11:00 am until the end of the games.
- Location: Hotel at Old Town – 830 E. 1st St. N, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17 beginning at 11:00 am
- Website | Admission: FREE | Outdoors + Patio
12. Mort’s Cigar & Martini Bar Watch Party
Mort’s Cigar and Martini Bar is Old Town Wichita’s gem for a night on the town in a relaxed dive bar atmosphere. Patrons select from over 150 martinis, locally brewed beer and hand crafted cocktails. Mort’s and the Wichita Wagonmasters will host a food pavilion serving breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day in the adjacent parking lot. The basketball games will also be broadcast in the climate-controlled patio area.
- Location: Mort’s Cigar & Martini Bar – 923 E. 1st Street, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hours: Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17 9:00 am – 2:00 am
- Website | Admission: FREE | Indoors + Outdoors + Patio
13. Ziggy’s Basketball Hub
Ziggy’s Pizza is a College Hill neighborhood staple. This restaurant features an outdoor tent-covered patio, St. Patrick’s Day celebration and giveaways throughout the week. Local taps include selections from the Walnut River Brewing Company and their signature Ziggy’s Summer Brew.
- Location: Ziggy’s Pizza – 3700 E. Douglas #100, Wichita, KS 67208
- Hours: Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March 17 11:00 am – Midnight
- Website | Admission: FREE | Indoors + Patio
14. Rib Crib Watch Party
Rib Crib is an award-winning slow-smoked BBQ restaurant that offers appetizer and bar specials and flat screen TV viewing. Fans who bought a ticket to the games will receive 15% off their bill, excluding alcohol.
- Location: Rib Crib – 500 S Ridge Rd, Wichita, KS 67209
- Hours: Open daily beginning at 11:00 am
- Website | Admission: FREE | Indoors + Patio
[lotc-tags tag=”March Madness”]
Related: NCAA Open Practice Day at INTRUST Bank Arena
Wichita St. Patricks Day Events
