Your locals-approved guide to the NCAA Tournament games at the Prudential Center this year
Welcome to Newark , the Garden State ’s tumid city , and the third oldest city in the United States . The Puritans set up Newark in 1666 after lose political power in Connecticut , which , naturally , explain the fervor behind the Big East’sSeton Hall - UConn rivalry . March Madness will affect down in Newark for the first time since 2011 when thePrudential Centerhosts the East Regional on March 27 and March 29 .
icon like Frankie Valli , Gloria Gaynor , Ray Liotta , and Michael B. Jordan all hail from“Brick City . ” 80s Thomas Kid andCobra Kaifans may remember that a certainAll - Valley karate champwas born here , too . But you ’re not in town for the celebrity and fame , you ’re here for theSekai Taikiof college hoops — theNCAA Division 1 men ’s basketballtournament . Here we ’ll plunge in and make the most of your trip to Newark for the humankind ’s March Madness tournament .
How do I get tickets?
Sadly , general public all - session tickets for the NCAA East Regional Finals at the Prudential Center are all sold out . Luckily , you’re able to still witness single secret plan and session tix via secondary marketplace likeStubHub , Vivid Seats , Ticket City , and others . Sure , there ’s belike a 40 % markup after service fees , but it ’s March Madness!Other options include sites likeOn Locationfor outstanding seats , hospitality packages , and perks like open barroom , behind - the - scene access code , and merch . you’re able to even take a photo with theNABC trophy . You ’ve already trek across state pedigree to see your alma mater on the big stage and you likely already spend a pretty cent on locomotion and hotel accommodation . Do n’t let another $ 500-$1500 bar you !
you may still purchaseprimo induct packagesdirectly through the Prudential Center if you ’re unforced to splurge even further . Prices cast from a few grand to $ 30K+ for suite that come with food , drink , private lounge admittance , and a VIP entrance .
For those wait to be a bit more budget conscious , you may keep your eyes peeled for fans of lose teams who may be willing to give up their seats on the way out . Scout the perimeter of the arena for out - of - towners wearing the jerseys of misplace teams and strike ! There ’s a decent chance they ’ll hawk their remain tix / session to go drown their sorrows elsewhere . You get discounted seats , and they get push aside drinks .
Illustration by Don Caminos for Thrillist
If you ’re utilizing the secondary grocery sites and you have a choice of where to sit , you ca n’t really go wrong atThe Rock . beat with the “ splurge ” subject , center court derriere ( sections 8 and 19 ) are both optimal and uncommitted on the secondary grocery store . Think 12 or 13 rows up for the in effect views .
For tickets at much lower prices , the corner of the 200 section ( the upper roll ) furnish middling coolheaded vantage points . The tush are a bit more cramp , but there ’s something to be said for the bird ’s eye view in a packed , rowdy environment . General ruler : top row of the low-pitched bowl and bottom row of the upper bowl are cardinal . You may or may not be closer to the activeness , but you will definitely be close to conceding and restrooms ( and the exits when it ’s time to go ) .
How do I get there? How should I get around?
If you ’re flying intoNewark Airport(EWR ) , I ’ve baffle near news andbad news . The just news is that you ’re just four mile from downtown and the Prudential Center . The defective tidings ? If you ’re flying in on Thursday or Friday afternoon , may the lord have mercy on your soul . It ’s bad enough dealing with spate hour traffic in Newark on a normal weekday . On the day of the Sweet 16 with thousands of fans descending on the area ? It ’s conk to be nuts . Regional semifinal games typically start around 6:00 p.m. If you do n’t want to hazard missing tipoff , aspire for arrival clip before 3:00 p.m. Personally , I ’d avoid fly in on Thursday all told if you may . You ’ll make unnecessary yourself a concern .
EWR is a giganticUnited Airlineshub so you ’re in luck if you ’ve been building United miles . Other airlines including Spirit are common here but domestically , United owns close to 70%of the securities industry share .
The large thing about the Prudential Center in business district Newark is that it ’s just two blocks off from one of the largest transportation hub in the country — Newark Penn Station . Whether you ’re taking the heap in or hinge on the rails to get here , Amtrak , NJ Transit , PATH , Greyhound , and more can play you correct to the Pru ’s doorstep . Getting around downtown Newark by foot is fine and easy during the day . Plus , you ’ll be ring by gang of tourists for the three days the tourney is in town . At night , though , stick to rideshare or trains to get to and from downtown Newark .
The Prudential Center|Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
If you ’re drive in , perhaps re - weigh , specially if you ’ve never beat back in New Jersey before . It can be scary ! If you dead have to , there are plenty of peck in and around Newark Penn and the arena . Just book onParkMobilein cash advance , as they will fill up up quickly on game days . And if possible , invalidate driving from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday .
What should I know about the venue?
The Prudential Center spread out in 2007 and has been home to the NHL’sNew Jersey DevilsandSeton Hallmen ’s basketball since . This year , The Rock added theNew York Sirensof the Professional Women ’s Hockey League as tenants .
Beyond hockey and hoops , the Prudential Center is an amusement ball of fire . FromUFC , World Championship Boxing , andpro grapple , totop - tier concertsandcomedy shows , the venue has hosted some of the biggest events across the globe , attracting some 2 million guests per class . Speaking of the globe , did you know the Prudential Center was theNorth American home of K - Pop?Saranghae , Pru !
The Rock is full of tasty eats to help you forget about those square bracket busters . Challah at your male child Pat LaFrieda by chowing down on aRanch House BurgeratSmashin sections 12 and 115 . Other buff faves admit theDevil DogfromBrick City Dogs(Section 4 , 110 ) , Cheese Steak Empanadas fromGoya Cantina(101 ) , and the fried chicken sandwich andTres Mac and CheesefromMelba’s(107 ) . The Rock hasKosher cover , too . For a lavishness sweet and New Jersey staple , examine thedeep - fry funnel cake friesfromThe Boardwalk .
The Prudential Center|Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
There are officialrideshare drop - off and pick - up zonesfor all Prudential Center events , but it might take a while for your elevator car to attain you when the game permit out . You might have better portion if you walk a couple of blocks to meet your machine driver . Just do n’t go it alone . Find a few common people with the same idea .
There arefour primary entrances , none of which get particularly bottlenecked upon entering or exiting . No matter which you prefer , ensure to stop over and take a pic atChampionship PlazawithThe Iron Man , the 22 - foot , 7,000 - British pound sterling stainless steel hockey musician statue , orThe Salute , a 900 - Ezra Pound bronze statue of Devil ’s legendary goalieMartin Brodeur . There ’s alsoThe Rocksculpture across the street on Mulberry , a nod to Prudential’sRock of GIbraltar - inspired logo .
Other places to eat (and watch)
Newark is loaded with things to do and lieu to eat . But you ’re here for the games , so let ’s keep it sporty by starting atBello ’s , located powerful near Penn Station . Newark ’s first gastropub is a bully sports bar to get tournament action ( and soccer ) . diddle some puddle and say you did it all for thegnocchi !
Redd ’s Biergartenis a go - to for sports buff flocking to the Prudential Center . partially because it ’s right across the street , but mostly because they have lots of TVs , a great workmanship brew survival , and reasonable prices . taste theGerman Wurst Platter .
If you ’re stay in Harrison ( or not),The Parcis a great spot for wings , Warren Burger , and variation . It ’s usually more of a laid - back setting , but with March Madness go on just across the river , that will probably change . Especially on Friday night ( the night between game ) when they have a live DJ .
The Prudential Center|Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
Other must-dos
depend on what clock time the two elect 8 games lead off on Saturday , March 29 , you might be able to squeeze in aRed Bulls soccer mate . Sadly , it ’s not a home game atSports Illustrated Stadiumin nearby Harrison , but you will feel like it is at Bello ’s , Redd ’s , or a scout political party atMcGovern ’s .
Newark is a city full ofrich polish and history , so if you ’re looking for non - sports stuff to do , you have to go over outBranch Brook Park , the country ’s oldest County Park . It ’s probably a little early on for full bloom , but this Newark gem is home to the largestcherry efflorescence collectionin the United States . There ’s a calorie-free rail that take up you fromNewark Penn to Branch Brook Parkif you need to save a few bucks on rideshare . Use the nest egg on one ofTony ’s Hot Dogsnear the Park Ave . bridge .
Final Tips
Come dressed for any mood you may guess . Cool temps , bounce showers , and gusty winds are all in play . Newark ’s law of proximity to water — two river and a alcove — and its downtown skyscrapers can make air current burrow conditions at times . It ’s also still March , where temporary worker can dip into the 30s at night . A calorie-free jacket may be fine during the day , but take a pelage and some extra gear just in case you need to layer up . Also , wear comfortable shoe for all the walking .
Every arena in the nation has rules about what you may and ca n’t lend at heart , and the Prudential Center is no dissimilar . Make trusted you go over thearena policiesbefore you come . Security doesnotplay around . I ’d detest for you to escape your favourite team because you got accommodate up at the logic gate .
There will be some nerveless fan activations take lieu on Championship Plaza and atMulberry Commonsduring the tourney , so check that to check those out before or after the games . Also , do n’t leave to grab yourNewark Fan Fest mobile passing play . It ’s your tonality to event details , observe party , exclusive deals , and even a prize - winning clout card game .
The Newark skyline|Harry Prott
