Milwaukee will play host to fans from across the country as college basketball takes center stage for a long weekend.
One of the Midwest ’s most underrated cities , Milwaukee is place to host a series of first and second round Men ’s NCAA tournament biz this forthcoming March 21 - 23 , on the campus ofMarquette University .
topically experience as theCream City , coined for the golden yellow brick that decorate much of the city’shistoric building , Milwaukee will play host to fans from across the country as college basketball takes center leg for a long weekend . pucker along the shore of Lake Michigan , this city of over 500,000 people effortlessly waver together sports refinement , Midwestern quilt culinary art and kindness .
The scene could not be better : Fiserv Forum , the construction that houses the NBA’sMilwaukee Bucksand Marquette ’s men ’s basketball squad , sits in the middle of theDeer District . The District once swelled with 65,000 rabid , non - ticket - take hold fansas the Bucks close out the NBA Finals inside the construction .
Illustration by Don Caminos for Thrillist
Fiserv offers much more from concerts and colossus trucks to bullshit riding , comedy show , and even Disney on Ice . Here , we ask for you to join us in the Badger State for an unforgettable weekend of college hoops .
How do I get tickets?
No magic formula here . Theofficial site of the NCAAis still the best post to purchase tickets for first and second round game . Otherwise , sites likeSeatGeekandStubHuboffer plenty of additional recommendations and the flexibleness to grease one’s palms last minute .
If the secondary resale market is your fortissimo , simply hang out in the Deer District could be deserving your while . It ’s a common practice during both Bucks and Brewers games for fans to bribe and deal one - off tickets around the arena , peculiarly if they bought seats for multiple biz sessions but their team is eliminated early in the day .
Sections 106 or 117 will give you the best opinion of any possible doorbell beaters . Sections 207 - 209 or 221 - 223 preserve you in the heart but offers a more elevated view . I ’ve been to several events at Fiserv and there ’s not a forged seat in the house . Even the upper seats extend a fan - friendly view of the game and you never feel far from the action .
Fiserv Forum|Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
ticket are sold in good afternoon or eventide session , two games apiece . If your squad is diddle , and you want to grab more than just one game , you may be in the construction for both games with an good afternoon or even session ticket . If you have an all sessions just the ticket , you’re able to stay for all four game .
How do I get there?
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport , located on the south side of town , is the preferred option if you ’re aviate in from out of state . Major airline including American , Delta , Frontier , Southwest , Spirit , and United fly into MKE . you could check out the full listhere .
There ’s a salubrious figure of regular direct flightsto and from Milwaukee . Chicago has 84 flights / week and cities like Atlanta , Denver , Orlando and others not far behind . Alaska , American and Southwest boast the most unmediated flights . If you ’re not flying into Milwaukee , Chicago ’s O’Hare International AirportandMidway International Airportare both about an hour south and offer a full range of rental railroad car choice to make the drive up a breeze . I ’ve made plenty of misstep between MKE and Chicago and the dealings is generally fine .
How do I get around?
Renting a car is prosperous from theMitchell Airport , but if you ’re choosing to go carless from , you ’ll receive the rideshare pick up and drop off near Carousel 2.For getting to and from the bowl , Fiserv Forum has designated rideshare zones alongVel R. Phillips Avenue and Juneau Avenue . This is an easy drop - off and pick up spot just a short base on balls from the arena .
After the game , avoid surge pricing and prospicient waits for a ride by hanging out in the Deer District . seize a bite to eat atThe Mecca Sports Bar & Grillas you ’re wait for crew to subside . If you ’re with a mathematical group , I ’d recommend their basketball game day special : the Marquette Golden Ale beer tugboat , a 128 - ounce tower of beer that ’s smashing for communion .
If you do call for to park near Fiserv Forum , there are afew optionsI recommend ( cost vary ):
Fiserv Forum|Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
What should I know about the venue?
First , make certain to downloadThe Bucks & Fiserv Forum Appbefore make it . you’re able to order solid food and drinks from the app and get notify when they ’re ready thus skipping long personal credit line at concession standstill . The app will also feed you highlights from effect fall out in the sports stadium and you may use your sound as your ticket to accede . Fiserv Forumcalls itself " the primal hub for recreation in Milwaukee " and it ’s not wrong . The sphere , which hosted both its first Bucks and Marquette Golden Eagles gage back in 2018 , sits at the heart of a 30 - acre zone consult to now as theDeer District .
Once you ’re inside the scene of action , find the nearest grant stand and scope out some of the local favorites . You wo n’t need to neglect out on prove someJohnsonville bratwurst ( a Wisconsin basic ) and " State Fair - style " cream puffswith flavors like cherry , pumpkin , and apple .
Basketball, brackets, and betting
Thefirst round biz schedule for Milwaukeeis here :
Friday , March 21
Milwaukee will meet host to two play - in teams who will set off their NCAA tourney journeying a few days earlier than the rest of the field of honor . However , we in reality have reason to devote care to these game on Tuesday and Wednesday . Ole Miss will feather off against the winnerof San Diego State vs North Carolina . Both team , especiallyUNC , have had their percentage of achiever in March . Same with Illinois who will play the succeeder of Texas vs Xavier . Be sure to keep an eye on these play - in games .
Fiserv Forum|Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
On the injury front , Iowa State will be without one of its fundamental players . Kenshon Gilbert ( bulwark ) had already missed four of the past seven games for the Cyclones and the team announced he will be out for the integral tournament . He was the squad ’s second - lead scorer ( 13.4 point per plot ) . They’restill favor vs. No . 14 germ Lipscomb by 13.5 point , per FanDuel .
As forperennial blueblood Kentucky , they ’re making their 62nd appearance in the Big Dance , which unfold their own record . They ’re also looking to make a deep running under first - year head coach , and Kentucky alum , Mark Pope .
Other places to eat (and watch)
reckon on whether you have good afternoon or evening session tickets , if you require to view other game somewhere nearby , there are plenty of options within walk aloofness of Fiserv Forum . My first testimonial isThe Mecca Sports Bar and Grill , which is bring up after the Milwaukee Exposition and Convention Center and Arena ( MECCA ) . This was once the metropolis ’s principal convention center and home of the Bucks from 1968 - 1988 . locate straightaway across the plaza from the arena , they serve Midwestern classics including Sargento cheeseflower curds and main dish antenna like Johnsonville bratwursts ( my go - to ) , five warning machine beefburger , and a local favorite — the katzenjammer burger .
Major Goolsby’shas over 50 HDTV to fulfil sports enthusiasts . They narrow down in the ultimate comfort nutrient – I ’m partial to the BBQ pork mack and high mallow . Be prepared to waddle your manner back to the arena ; thankfully it ’s only a five moment walk of life .
For the ultimate placement choice , it does n’t get more Wisconsin River than theDrink Wisconsinbly Pub , also place next to the arena . The " Drink Wisconsinbly " brand has become synonymous with the state and while they do n’t serve up food , they encourage carry - ins or parliamentary law from other restaurant .
Other must-dos in town
Before you leave the metropolis , I ’d recommend walk along the Milwaukee River to chatter the historicLakefront Brewery . A Milwaukee staple , the tour of duty is under an hr , between $ 13 and $ 16 depending on the twenty-four hour period of the workweek , and let in four 8 oz pours ( and you get to keep the deoxyephedrine ) . After the tour , snaffle some food in the beer hall and I ’d recommend trying the Hazy Rabbit IPA .
Final tips
Wisconsin is well - sleep with for its frigid winter temperature , and think back Milwaukee is on Lake Michigan so it gets laughably cold wind gusts , even in March . Prepare for a all-inclusive chain of weather ; you could be looking at tender and sunny , a rainy weekend , or even a spring snowstorm . Expect the worst and hope for the best in March here in Wisconsin .
Otherwise , hug the chaos that is March Madness and bask the weekend ! With so many similar - apt fans and a classical Midwestern - skillful vibe , you ’re certain to have a memorable meter even if your team gets upset by a double - finger semen in the first circle .
