NCAA Men's Final Four

• NCAATickets.com is the official seller. For Detroit 2027 the NCAA ran a random-selection application through May 31, 2026, with a $25 fee and a charge for up to four tickets; people who were not picked get their money back minus the $25 fee, and results go out in fall 2026. Any remaining public sale and the official resale exchange run through the NCAA.

  Tickets on NCAA Tickets (NCAATickets.com)

• The NCAA Ticket Exchange (NCAA.com/exchange) is the NCAA's approved resale marketplace for March Madness, where fans can buy and resell tickets. Tickets are mobile only, and re-entry to the venue is not allowed.

  Tickets on NCAA Ticket Exchange

• The official hospitality packages, sold by On Location for the NCAA, bundle a game ticket with food, drink and premium access. They usually go on sale in the fall before the tournament and cost far more than a plain ticket.

  Tickets on NCAA Fan Experience by On Location

Plan on four nights: arrive Friday for the practice day and Fan Fest, stay through the Monday night title game, and fly out Tuesday. Fans who only want the semifinals can do two nights.

Downtown hotels fill early because the host city knows the dates years ahead, and the rest go within hours once the four teams are set the weekend before. Rates often run two to four times a normal April weekend. Book a refundable room early and drop it if plans change.

• Downtown Detroit

  5 to 20 min, walk

  Ford Field, Fan Fest at Huntington Place and most fan events sit downtown, so this is the easiest base. Rooms here go first.

• Greektown

  10 min, walk

  A few blocks from Ford Field, with a casino hotel, restaurants and the free People Mover at the Greektown stop.

• Midtown

  15 min, transit

  Home to the Detroit Institute of Arts and many restaurants. The free QLINE streetcar runs down Woodward Avenue to downtown.

• Corktown

  10 min, rideshare

  Detroit's oldest neighborhood, west of downtown, with bars, food and Michigan Central Station. Short rides to Ford Field.

• Dearborn

  20 to 25 min, drive

  Lower hotel prices, close to DTW and the Henry Ford Museum. Plan to drive or ride in.

• Fly into DTW

  Detroit Metro Airport is about 20 miles southwest of Ford Field, roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car without heavy traffic. The DAX bus and SMART FAST Michigan route 261 both run from the airport to downtown.

• Fly into LAS

  For 2028 in Las Vegas, Harry Reid International (LAS) sits about 3 miles from Allegiant Stadium, around 10 minutes by car.

• DAX bus from the airport

  Detroit Air Xpress runs nonstop between both DTW terminals and downtown Detroit from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Tickets are $8 at the door or $6 in advance.

• SMART FAST Michigan route 261

  This limited-stop bus runs from both DTW terminals into downtown Detroit. The ride takes about an hour; check smartbus.org for the current schedule and fare.

• People Mover

  The downtown People Mover loop is free to ride. The Broadway station serves Ford Field, and the Greektown and Cadillac Center stations are close by.

• QLINE streetcar

  The QLINE runs free up and down Woodward Avenue between downtown and Midtown. Hours are 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, so check late Monday service for the title game.

• Rideshare and driving

  The NCAA expects heavier traffic downtown all weekend. Rideshare pickup and drop-off zones near the venue are posted closer to the event, along with stadium parking details.

Cash or card

Ford Field is cashless, including concessions and retail. Kiosks inside the stadium turn cash into a prepaid debit card.

Bag policy

A strict bag policy covers the games and every official fan event. At Ford Field, clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches and one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags are allowed, plus one small clutch about the size of a hand.

Gates open

The NCAA posts gate times closer to the event. Tickets are mobile only, so load them and transfer seats to your group before you leave the hotel. Re-entry is not allowed.

What to wear

Ford Field has a fixed roof, so inside is comfortable. Early April in Detroit is often cold and damp, so bring a jacket for the walk and the outdoor fan events.

Food and drink

Concessions inside Ford Field take cards and mobile pay only. The NCAA suggests booking downtown restaurant tables ahead, since the city fills up all weekend.

Weather

Typical early April highs in Detroit are in the 50s Fahrenheit with lows in the 30s, and rain or a late snow shower is possible.

• Ritual, $

  Final Four Fan Fest

  The NCAA's indoor fan festival fills the convention center with games, clinics and team gear all weekend. Game ticket holders get in free.

  1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

• Ritual, free

  Reese's Final Four Friday

  The four teams hold free open practices at Ford Field the day before the semifinals, along with a college all-star game. It is the cheapest way to see the building and the teams up close.

  2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226

• Tour, $$

  Motown Museum

  In 1959 Berry Gordy bought this two-family flat and turned the ground floor into the studio where Motown took off. The guided tour walks through the rooms where the hits were recorded.

  2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208

• Eat, $

  Eastern Market

  Detroit's huge public market is busiest on Saturday mornings from 6 a.m., hours before the semifinals tip off. Come for breakfast, coffee and local food stalls.

  2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207

• Eat, $$

  Buddy's Pizza on Conant

  Buddy's on Conant Street is the original home of Detroit-style square pizza. Expect crisp, cheesy edges and the sauce on top.

  17125 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48212

• Tour, $$

  Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

  A huge museum of American cars, planes and inventions about 10 miles from downtown. It fills a whole off day on Sunday.

  20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124

• Landmark, free

  Michigan Central Station

  The restored 1913 train station in Corktown is open to visitors with lobby hours most days. Guided 90-minute tours of the ground floor are sold in advance.

  2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216

• Landmark, free

  Guardian Building

  This downtown skyscraper is a National Historic Landmark known for its Art Deco lobby. It is a short walk from Campus Martius and the Riverwalk.

  500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

• Outing, $

  Belle Isle

  An island park in the Detroit River with views of the skyline and Canada, open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cars need a Michigan Recreation Passport.

  99 Pleasure Dr, Detroit, MI 48207

• Photo, free

  Ride the full People Mover loop

  The elevated loop circles downtown, costs nothing and needs no pass. It gives you river and skyline views and stops at Broadway, the station for Ford Field.

  1441 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226