As the tournament approaches Cleveland, here’s your guide with everything you need to know about getting in the building, getting around, and where to go.
Cleveland ’s no unknown to March Madness : the urban center ’s host various rounds at college scene of action theWolstein Centerand welcomed theNCAA womanhood ’s Final Four in 2024 . This year , the men ’s tourney first and 2d rung come up toRocket Arenafrom March 21 - 23 . Cleveland ’s also a oasis for euphony fans , an A+ beer destination — and , given its location on Lake Erie and its wide car park scheme , an awing place for outside enthusiasts .
But Cleveland is also a sports town through and through , with die - knockout fans who stand by their team through thick and lean . It assist that the metropolis ’s compact downtown is a professional sport epicenter . Rocket Arena , where the NBA’sCavsplay , is directly next toProgressive Field — home of the American League’sGuardians — in what ’s called the Gateway District . An possession chemical group is also numb ready onbringing the NWSL to the same areaas professional women ’s soccer barrels onwards in its quest to reach every nook of the res publica . By Lake Erie isHuntington Bank Field , home of the NFL’sBrownsand some of the league ’s most intensely consecrate fans .
How do I get tickets?
Tickets for the first orotund games , held on March 21 , are sell in two separate sessions of two games each ; second circular games on March 23 are sold in one double cope academic term with two games . Your strategy around ticketing should be hyper - focused on the 24-hour interval you plan to advert . you may buy and sell ticket in the ever - popularOfficial NCAA Ticket Exchange , whileSeatgeekis a recommend resale choice for the arena .
Those who have an all - academic session tag through theNCAA Fan Experienceoption are even luckier and get to appease for all four game on March 21 . This perquisite comes with a pre - gritty limited loose bar and tailgate - style solid food , appetizer and private club access between sessions , and a photo opp with the NCAA trophy .
Rocket Arena is an NBA - sized area that holds close to 20,000 people , almost twice the average D1 college basketball bowl capacity . Like most venue but peculiarly for big ones , the floor and lower sports stadium will offer the airless looks at the action . You ca n’t go wrong with anything there but seek out seats in the grinder - shaped sections near the baskets ( sections 102 , 103 , 125 , 126 ) for in particular good views . School bands be given to sit around behind the ring so beware sections 101 - 103 and 112 - 115 if you ’re raw to peculiarly loud stochasticity .
Illustration by Don Caminos for Thrillist
The mezzanine level , which wraps around the total bowl , is also an excellent , comfortable and more low-priced option . As with the low arena , consider corner sections ( specifically M125 and M103 ) for a solid slant . Finally , the upper grade here is n’t as steep as some of the Modern arena out there , and even the seats at the ends of the court are n’t terribly far away from the action , making these an satisfactory pick .
How do I get there?
If you ’re flying into Cleveland , chances are expert you ’re land atCleveland Hopkins International Airport(CLE ) . Every major airline ( including budget ones ) fly in and out of there but United , Frontier , Southwest and American hold in the largest market portion . Akron - Canton Airportis also an option , but it ’s 50 mile south of Cleveland – if you ’re plan on start out out of town at any point , a rental car could do work nicely .
While a rental car can make for , it ’s as luck would have it very well-to-do to get downtown from Hopkins . Rideshares from the airport are a cinch , as motorcar can blame you up directly from the lower - level baggage call surface area or upper - grade ticketing throng . you’re able to also get on the track / subway , colloquially known as the Rapid , right at theairportand take the train now downtown to theTower Citystop located in Public Square . Taxis are also available flop at the remnant of luggage title .
How do I get around?
Cleveland is a fair walkable metropolis downtown , specially near Rocket Arena . Public transportation in Cleveland is also accessible via theRTA , which has buses and trolleys as well as the Rapid . TheB - Line trolleyis an especially good deal , as it circulates around major downtown locations like Tower City and theWarehouse District ; the latter neck of the woods has a salmagundi of restaurants and bars . Best of all , faresare very sane , even for multi - day pass .
If you contrive on trip outside of downtown , a rental car can make your trip easy . Hopkins has adedicated car rental facilitywith every major company . Located about five to seven minutes by from the airport , it ’s accessible via a 24 - 7 birdie you could pick up on the luggage claim level . If you plan on sticking close to the arena , you’re able to probably decamp having a car . Parking business district can be expensive , especially near the locale .
What should I know about the venue?
Rocket Arena is already the menage of a world - year hoops squad ( the NBA’sCleveland Cavaliers ) and a popular hockey franchise ( the AHL’sCleveland Monsters ) , and host concerts and other events . It ’s a cashless venue , but cup of tea of a certain size are allowed ( and they do n’t have to be clear ) .
There are multiple parking options around the bowl , between the street , airfoil lots and garages . It ’s definitely worth booking in progress to get a meridian spotlight ; legion apps do downtown ( ParkWhizis a good one ) abound . However , parking can be quite expensive during limited events , so you ’ll in all probability want to recover another way to get to the games , either using rideshares or public Department of Transportation .
From the Tower City stop of the Rapid , you’re able to get your measure in by saunter to Rocket Arena via a 1,000 - pes connect indoor walkway . There’sconstruction right nowin some parts of the post , but the RTA has avery thorough videoshowing where you go . The walkway is open both before and after games .
Courtesy Matt Shiffler
After games , dealings is vivid . If you need to overhear a drive somewhere , hold off out the car compaction by heading toward E. quaternary Street and grabbing a collation or drink at belated - night places : Barriohas delicious margarita and cheese inclination , while the retro - leaningGeraci ’s Slice Shopslings pizza pie until the wee hours on the weekends .
Dining optionswithin Rocket Arena have local dash , led bySymon ’s Burger Joint , the namesake of renown chef Michael Symon . As its name implies , this place ( located at hepatic portal vein 9 and 43 ) is all about single and double cheeseburgers and Cleveland favorites like spicy kielbasa . Head to portal 68 forSauce The City , which betray local delicacy the Polish Boy ( a.k.a . kielbasa - based sandwich ) as well asCleveland Hot Chicken : their signature Kool Ranch sauce on crispy Cleveland hot volaille and topped with kale slaw .
Cavs picture Elmore Smith bestow his touch barbecue sauce toElmore ’s Smokehouse , which serves up nachos , platters , and sandwich at portal 26.Pearl ’s Kitchenat portal 18 , meanwhile , dishes out comfort food with a Cajun - Southern genius , like a blacken runt pipe bowl . And at the same portal , beloved local restaurateur Karen Small , live for the democratic breakfast spotJuneberry Table , hasP St Market Café . This place slings faves like lager chili and homemade cornbread , and bridge player - craft pretzels .
Courtesy Matt Shiffler
barroom - wise , in gain to areas commit to various liquors , be certain to snap up a beer atThe Great Lakes Experience . Located right by P St Market Café , this sport oblation from the area ’s beloved brewery theGreat Lakes Brewing Co.and a XII 55 - inch telly , like a sports bar and saloon rolled into one .
As you ’re walk around the arena , Les " The Beer Guy " Flakeis often heard before he ’s seen when he ’s slinging drinks at Cavs games . A dear staple fiber of local sporting event for more than 50 years , he is know for his roaring voice and memorable catchphrases : “ Not the taxation guy ! Not the mail guy ! It ’s the beer guy ! ”
Basketball, brackets, and betting
In theSouth Regional in Cleveland , Michigan State ( 27 - 6 ) gain a No . 2 seedand will face off against a tough defensive team , America East league winners No . 15 Bryant ( 23 - 11 ) at 10 p.m. ET Friday . conduce by surging Jase Richardson — son of Jason Richardson , who played on the Spartans ' interior title - pull ahead 2000 team — the Big Ten champs will nevertheless be tough to nonplus ( and areheavy deary ) . Elsewhere , No . 7 Marquette ( 23 - 10 ) is rig to second power offagainst the Mountain West Conference champions , No . 10 New Mexico ( 26 - 7 ) at 7:25 p.m. ET .
The East Regional also has the potentiality to be quite interesting . The No . 10 seed Vanderbilt ( 20 - 12),who ’s in the tourney for the first time since 2017 , is face off against No . 7 St. Mary ’s ( 28 - 5 ) on Friday afternoon at 3:15 pm ET . Momentum is n’t on the Commodores ' side , as they ’re on a three - biz losing streak;they’re 4.5 point underdogs . Despite their No . 2 ejaculate , Alabama ( 25 - 8) also lose to the Florida Gators in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament — and they’refacing off against No . 15 Robert Morris ( 26 - 8) , the Horizon League Tournament champsbased in nearby Pittsburgh , at 12:40 atomic number 61 ET Friday . await Robert Morris devotee to be heavily represented in Cleveland .
Other places to eat (and watch)
You ’re very unconvincing to find a bar or eating place in Cleveland that does n’t have sports on TV . In the E. 4th Street area , The Corner Alleyboasts syndicate tables and a 16 - lane bowling alleyway as well as an abundance of TVs and tasty bar food . Located a mere pulley away from Rocket Arena , Flannery ’s Pubfavors Irish pothouse transportation and drinks and idiot box mighty above the saloon but they do get push before and after games . you’re able to also snaffle a beer at one of many bar in the nearby Gateway District , withThe Clevelanderleading the way in terms of biz - watching handiness .
For a more daily place near the arena , hit up miserable - key fruit neighbourhood anchorThirsty Parrot . City Tap , Southern Tier Cleveland , and the self - serveWhistleare also nearby . On the outskirts of business district , pay a visit toMasthead Brewing Co.orNoble Beast Brewing Co. ; the former boast toothsome pizza and is a nice place to expend hours with friends , while the latter ’s food carte du jour is inventive but fill .
Located a short drive away from business district , the inner - closed chain suburbia Lakewood is a sport bar mecca . The competently namedGame Onboasts more than two dozen TVs and a menu full of gastronome hot domestic dog , sandwiches and cold beer , while theMerry Arts Pub & Grilleis a one C - old neck of the woods mainstay that depart serving brunch on weekend at 10 a.m. and stays capable late .
Other must-dos
Given the unpredictable weather , March is an oddball month in Cleveland where outdoor activities are concerned . fortuitously , bowling is a classical indoor Cleveland pursuit . Ohio ’s oldest bowling alley , Mahall ’s , celebrated a century in business in 2024 and is still going warm . you’re able to still bowl , but the Lakewood staple is also now a busy concert venue with multiple rooms and a cellar bar , Pins & Needles , that ’s like stepping back in time to a 1970s basement rumpus elbow room . One of the city ’s other starring night life option isBirdietown Mini Golf + Lounge . A punny reference to the neck of the woods where it ’s located ( Birdtown ) , this newer outer space has two ( indoor ) nine - hole mini - golf courses and food good manners of a James Beard - name chef .
No matter what your taste in euphony , theRock & Roll Hall of Fameis a must - visit . On the Clarence Day in between games , carve out time to go through the museum , as between interactive space like theGarage , where you may slash on a guitar and rip up with your friends , and an always - change roster of exhibition , there ’s slew to seeandhear . You ’re also roughly an hr by from thePro Football Hall of Famein Canton , Ohio , which is a haven for football history and trivia lover .
Final tips
The conditions in Cleveland can be irregular in March . It ’s not out of the ordinary to have spring - like temperature one day and hoodwink the next . check off the prognosis before you go and dress consequently .
