Indianapolis Prepares to Celebrate Women’s Final Four

This year marks the 35^th year of NCAA women's championships as the NCAA celebrates 110 years as an association. This April, Indy will welcome more than 40,000 fans while the city hosts the NCAA Women’s Final Four for the 3^rd time in 12 years. From fan festivals to hands-on youth clinics with coaches and student-athletes, learn how you can join in the heart-pounding excitement of NCAA basketball’s biggest weekend.  This guide includes a rundown of official events as well as Indy activities for all hoops fans.

OFFICIAL EVENTS

Tourney Town presented by Capital One

Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, Friday April 1 – Sunday, April 3: Tourney Town is a free fan festival celebrating the best in women’s college basketball during the 2016 NCAA Women’s Final Four. Tourney Town is located inside the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. Be at the epicenter of women’s basketball fun with activities and events for the whole family:

• Fun exhibits and games

• Interactive displays

• Basketball clinics

• Entertainment

• Food

• Licensed merchandise

• Giveaways

Salt-N-Pepa at the Indiana Convention Center, Friday April 1 at 9 pm: America Hip-Hop trio Salt-N-Pepa will take the stage at 9 pm for a free concert at Tourney Town in the Indiana Convention Center. Come early to enjoy the 8 pm fashion show.

 4Kay Run/Walk at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Saturday April 2 at 8 am: Fans and families are invited to participate in the ninth annual 4Kay Run to kick-off the 2016 Women's Final Four in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. This 5K run/walk is held in honor of the late North Carolina State University and Olympic women's basketball coach Kay Yow. Pre-registration begins at 6:30 am at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Registration: $30 before April 1, $35 on race day.

Powerade Youth Clinics in various locations, Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3: Jump-start your basketball skills with a free NCAA Youth Clinic. This includes conditioning and life skills from NCAA coaches and student-athletes along with a free t-shirt and promotional items. Clinics are open to boys and girls grade 3-8. Register here.

Super Saturday 

Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Saturday,  April 2 from 9:30 am to 4 pm: Make it a Super Saturday at Women's Final Four! Get up close and personal to the action during this free fan event which includes open practices, team autograph sessions, and the WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team announcement. 

Women’s Final Four Block Party on Georgia Street, Saturday, April 2 through Tuesday, April 5: Come on out to Georgia Street for the party that lasts all weekend long. There will be a DJ, live music, team pep rallies, Battle of the Bands, basketball contests, photo opportunities, and giveaways galore.

• Saturday, April 2: 12 pm – 4 pm

• Sunday, April 3: 3 pm – 6 pm

• Monday, April 4: 12 pm - 3 pm

• Tuesday, April 5: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Bouce Fueled by Powerade: Bakers Life Fieldhouse, Saturday, April 2 at 1:30 pm: Youth ages 18 and under are invited to participate in this unique and free Women’s Final Four event, joining thousands of fans dribbling their way down Georgia Street, from Bankers Life Fieldhouse to Tourney Town, the official fan festival of the 2016 Women’s Final Four. The first 2,000 participants will receive a free basketball and t-shirt.

NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Saturday, April 2 at 1:30 pm: For the first time in women’s basketball history, all three division championships will be decided during a 48-hour span at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.  

• Division II and Division III national championship games will be played on Monday, April 4 at 3 pm and 6 pm

• Division I semifinals will be held on Sunday, April 3 at 6 pm and 8:30 pm

• Division I National Championship will be held on Tuesday, April 5 at 8:30 pm

INDY ACTIVITIES FOR HOOPS FANS:

Visit the NCAA Hall of Champions: Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the national headquarters of the NCAA and collegiate athletics, located in White River State Park. The Hall of Champions explores the heart and dedication it takes to be a student-athlete in all 23 collegiate sports. Guests can attempt a downhill skiing simulator, test their knowledge at sport-specific trivia, or shoot hoops in a 1930s-style gymnasium.

Watch Sports at Indy's Sports Bars: It's no secret that Indianapolis is a sports town and when we aren't attending games we like to watch in our collection of sports bars. From the soccer-fanatic Chatham Tap on Mass Ave to the Colts Grille, where everyone bleeds blue, Indy has a sports bar for every fan and every occasion.

Tour Hinkle Fieldhouse: Built in 1928, Butler University’s historic Hinkle Fieldhouse was once the largest basketball arena in the country and was home to Indy’s first NCAA Final Four in 1940. The home to the Bulldogs (a team very familiar with the Final Four) recently underwent a major renovation that brought modern amenities to this basketball landmark, but the facility has maintained its historic charm.

Hinkle's real claim to fame was playing host to the 1954 Indiana High School State Basketball Championship, when Bobby Plump hit a game-winning buzzer-beating shot, inspiring ESPN’s #1 sports movie of all time, Hoosiers. Nearby, visitors and residents alike frequent Plump’s Last Shot, a greasy spoon stuffed with memorabilia from the owner and namesake’s basketball playing days. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch Bobby shooting hoops out in the back parking lot. Make sure to order Indiana's official sandwich, the massive pork tenderloin.

Catch the Pacers in Action: Basketball was invented in Massachusetts, but perfected here in Indiana. After the excitement of the Women's Final Four you can stick around to see the Indiana Pacers in a primetime battle with Eastern Conference foes Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, April 6, 7 pm, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.