Tucked into America’s heartland, this undersung city blends passionate sports culture with the best of the Midwest.
Nestled in the nation ’s heartland , Wichita is set to host a series of first and second round Men ’s NCAA tournament games March 20 - 22 . Hosted byWichita State University , Kansas ’ declamatory metropolis ( just under 400,000 people ) will fare alive for a week with fanatical basketball game buff .
Wichita ’s DNA is full of travel and basketball ; it domiciliate two uniqueflight - focus attractionsand a world - renownedspace museumjust a short drive out . The state proudly boasts powerhouse University of Kansas Jayhawks as well the respectable Kansas State . And then there ’s the Wichita State Shockers , who in 2013 enter the tournament as a immense underdog andwent on an unbelievable footrace to the Final Four . Current NBA star Fred Van Vleet and Austin Reeves both played at Wichita State ; the urban center has basketball game pride you wo n’t be able to ignore while you ’re in the edifice at this year ’s tourney .
pucker in the heart of business district liesINTRUST Bank Arena , the web site of this twelvemonth ’s games ; it doubles as a concert locus and the home of the minor conference hockey franchiseThe Wichita Thunder . The orbit just celebrated its fifteenth day of remembrance and has played a major part in the enlargement of Wichita as a ethnic nitty-gritty . Kansas is a state that feels central to Midwestern civilisation but sit adjacent to the South — Wichita is just a 5 hour movement from Dallas . Here we ’ll give you everything you require to know about a couple of basketball - filled days in Wichita .
Illustration by Don Caminos for Thrillist
How do I get tickets?
Theofficial web site of the NCAAis your elevated central post to buy tickets for first and second orotund games , but INTRUST Bank Arena has also posted links toSelect A Seaton theirsocial media business relationship . section 102 , 104 , and 115 - 117 are recommended as you ’ll get the full compass of this intimate locus sit around near nitty-gritty courtyard . If you ’re looking to save some money , Sections 214 - 217 give you an elevated view while still being fundamental to the court .
For visuals , I always ascertain my seat on a reviewsite like thisbefore I buy ticket ahead of game at INTRUST . If you want more info about transport - in policies and other recommendations , here ’s everything you demand to know . Tickets are sold in good afternoon or evening sessions , two game apiece . However , if you have an all seance ticket , you could stay on for all four games . Downtown Wichita is very walkable so if your team lose early and you do n’t experience like sticking around , there ’s plenty to do ( more on that below ) .
How do I get there?
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airportis the preferable choice if you ’re flee in from out of state and is just a 10 minute rideshare to the arena . Thefollowing airlinesall service Wichita – American , Delta , Southwest , United , and Alaska .
If you ’re add up from larger hubs like Dallas , NY , LA , Denver , Chicago , Atlanta or Houston , you ’re potential to find a verbatim flight . If vaporize now into Wichita is n’t potential and you ’d rather rent a gondola , Oklahoma City ( 2 hour , 20 minute drive ) or Kansas City ( 2 hour , 50 mo driving force ) are good option . While that case of parkway might feel like a slog , you ’ll certainly blend in with the locals . Midwesterners love a long driveway — anything under 10 hour is considered “ tightlipped . ” I ’m from Milwaukee and barring an extremely cheap , direct flight from Milwaukee to Wichita , the 11 minute cause is absolutely something I would criticise out in a 24-hour interval .
What should I know about the venue?
INTRUST Bank Arenais a advanced , land - of - the - art sports and entertainment venue . With seating for more than 15,000 to go along with a range of suite , loge boxes , and several hundred exchange premium seats , it ’s one of the premier arena in the Midwest . Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee , home of the NBA ’s Bucks , seats 18,000 so it ’s just a shade smaller than that .
Because the edifice domiciliate even concerts and the Thunder also call INTRUST home , you ’ll discover keen food options here . Several stalls reserve you to order through the Doordash app for convenience . For a local cry , grab some smoked pork nachos atRub My Belly BBQnear section 124 orCoop ’s Chicken Kitchenfor crispy chicken pinnace and fry near incision 219 .
Basketball, brackets and betting
Thursday , March 20th
INTRUST Bank Arena will host the No . 1 team in the Midwest Regionin the Houston Cougars , whorolled to both the Big 12 regular time of year and tournament title . En route to another stellar campaign , they tallied 30 wins for the fourth straight year , tie Gonzaga for the second - long stripe in Division 1 chronicle .
Speaking of the Zags , a win in the opening roundcould land them face - to - font with the aforementioned Cougars . That would provide some early - tournament play for devotee descending on Wichita next weekend .
Courtesy Visit Wichita
If the NCAA give out a most improved award , look no further than the Missouri Tigers . A year after going 0 - 19 in conference play , Mizzoubecame justthe third gamy - major teamto ever bounce from a winless group discussion season and still make the tournament . The Tigers also thump a trio of top - five squad this time of year — Kansas ( back in December ) , Florida ( January ) , and Alabama ( February ) . If there ’s a team that could make a cryptic running , the winner of the projected 2nd - round match-up between Missouri and Texas Tech could be one to watch .
Other places to eat (and watch)
For something ultra - local and with child for young locomote hoops fans , hop in a rideshare and head toward Wichita State ’s campus for aThe Field House . Located in an old construction with scurvy ceiling and a lack of ignitor befitting a college cake , this sports bar keeps prices shoot for at students ( read : low ) and you’re able to play darts , foosball , or the nickelodeon .
A bit further eastDeano ’s Grill and Tapworkscaters to a wider eld square bracket and has a variety of option from Wichita Brewing Co. As for food , give the bottomless shoelace onions , duck’s egg wings , or one of their many oven fired pizzas a attempt .
About a 15 second drive out from the arena , you ’ll find the extremist - popularMiya Izakaya , which serves up Nipponese and Korean fare and is eff for their karaoke . Any menu where you could order friesandan authentic sushi roll deserves your attention . Their Korean fried poulet is a must - order !
Courtesy Visit Wichita
Pumphouseshould also be on your list , especially if you ’re in the mood to walk off a loss ( or in - area food ) . Located near the arena , they offer specialty Midwest items ( do n’t ever chaffer a metropolis in this region without order cheese curd ) and specialty pizzas like the beer , pig , & cheeseflower .
They ’ve also got weekly trifle ( Wednesdays ) and disc jockey every Friday and Saturday .
Other must-dos
Housed in an old airport terminal , Kansas ’ Aviation Museumis a worthy stopover . The art art deco building host a Black aviator exhibit , a presentation highlighting the women of air travel , and an aviation hall of fame .
Here ’s an theme : TheSedgwick County Zoo , one of the 10 largest in the country , is a great place to bring a March Madness - themed biz . Bring a bingo lineup of all the mascots from the tournament and see how many you may rule . Badgers , wolverines , wildcats , razorback hog … you get the idea .
Sometimes we all demand to let loose our inner child and find an adult playground . Chicken N Picklehas exactly what you ’re looking for . It ’s an amusement complex with a fast casual dining eating house , 10 pickleball courts , two bocce ball courts , a bar , a game room with ping pong , and TVs .
Lastly , if you ’re looking to spoil off some steam , swing byAxe to Grindfor a classic yet therapeutic experience of heaving a medieval arm at a wooden objective . Challenge your friends and get back any linger bets from the weekend with axis and beverages .
Final tips
Do n’t fall for the trap and pass Wichita off as a flyover townsfolk ; it ’s a pure encapsulation of the good of the Midwest . Beware the irregular atmospheric condition that March brings this part of the country , and buckle up for an unforgettable trip .
