The 2015 NCAA Men’s Final Four returns to Indianapolis this week, with semifinal games Saturday (Duke vs. Michigan State at 6:09 p.m., followed by Kentucky-Wisconsin), aired on TBS from Lucas Oil Stadium. The championship game is Monday at 8 p.m., on CBS. If you don’t have tickets to the games, though, there is plenty of free and low-cost fun taking place in downtown Indianapolis.
1. The Hoops
Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Final Four teams will participate in practices that are free and open to the public. Fans who attend will have the opportunity to hear from each head coach after their sessions and engage in on-court promotions. The full schedule:
11 a.m.: Special Performance by Austin Mahone
Noon to 4 p.m.: Final Four teams practice
Michigan State (12 to 12:50 p.m.); Duke (1 to 1:50 p.m.); Wisconsin (2 to 2:50 p.m.); Kentucky (3 to 3:50 p.m.)
4:30 p.m.: Reese’s College All-Star Game
2. The Tunes
A series of free concerts coinciding with the Final Four will take place at White River State Park, located on the western edge of downtown Indianapolis. Entrances are located off West Washington Street and the Historical Old Washington Street Pedestrian Bridge. No tickets are needed for entry to the concerts.
Friday
MAIN STAGE
Cold War Kids: 4:45 p.m.
Weezer: 6:30 p.m.
Imagine Dragons: 8:30 p.m.
SIDE STAGE
Jason Aaron Coons: 3:45 p.m.
The Easthills: 5:45 p.m.
Clayton Anderson: 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
MAIN STAGE
Bleachers: 2:15 p.m.
Passion Pit: 4 p.m.
Semifinal No. 1 Viewing Party: 6 p.m.
Rihanna: 8:15 p.m.
SIDE STAGE
Kid Quill: 3:15 p.m.
Reaul: 5:15 p.m.
Sunday
MAIN STAGE
Cole Swindell: 2:45 p.m.
Kacey Musgraves: 4:30 p.m.
Lady Antebellum: 6:30 p.m.
Zac Brown Band: 8:30 p.m.
SIDE STAGE
Dude!: 2 p.m.
Fancy Reagan: 3:45 p.m.
Hero Jr.: 5:45 p.m.
Cadillac 3: 7:45 p.m.
3. The Fan Fest
Final Four Fan Fest at the Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Avenue.
From the NCAA: “Final Four Fan Fest is the ultimate pregame destination. A budget-friendly, four-day indoor interactive event, Fan Fest targets basketball fans and fans of all NCAA sports by offering them a chance to meet legendary coaches and former college stars at exclusive autograph sessions, sign up for daily youth clinics, and participate in a host of sport activities ranging from basketball to lacrosse to hockey and more. The weekend also boasts a variety of unique entertainment including the annual Final Four Pep Rally featuring the bands and cheerleaders from the four participating NCAA Final Four teams.”
The schedule:
Friday, noon to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Monday, noon to 8 p.m.
Tickets: $10, adults; $5, children ages 3 to 11, current college students with valid ID, senior citizens ages 55+ and military personnel with valid ID; free, ages 2 and under.
For more information on all of the happenings, visit ncaa.com/finalfour
