March Madness returns to the arenas, streets, & parking lots of Downtown

Big 12 Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships

March Madness returns to the arenas, restaurants, watering holes, hotels, and parking lots of Downtown Kansas City this month with four collegiate basketball tournaments – including the MIAA, Big 12 Men, Big 12 Women, and the NAIA National Men, AND the NCAA Men’s Midwest Regional from March 24-26.

To prepare you for the opening of the Big 12 Men’s and Women’s tournaments that unfold this week, we have turned to our partners at Visit KC to provide a guide to navigating Downtown during the busy week ahead.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Visit KC estimates the economic impact of the Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Championship to be $22.2 million. These figures are based on spending by attendees and the organization.

FACTS & FIGURES

• Location of Events: T-Mobile Center and Municipal Auditorium
• Peak Arrival Date: Wednesday, March 8
• Peak Departure Date: Sunday, March 12
• Airport Transportation: Attendees on their own

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULES

Both championships will follow a single-elimination format, with champions receiving automatic bids to their respective NCAA Tournaments. Both championships will feature 10 teams and nine games. The game schedules are as follows:

• Big 12 Men’s Tournament: Wednesday, March 8 through Saturday, March 11, T-Mobile Center
• Big 12 Women’s Tournament: Thursday, March 9 through Sunday, March 12, Municipal Auditorium

STREET CLOSURES

Be advised that fan fests and other Championship activities will close the following streets/lanes:

• Grand Boulevard (between 13th St. and Truman Rd.): Closed starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 6, through 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 12
• 14th Street (between Walnut St. and Grand Blvd.): Closed starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 6, through 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 12
• 14th Street (between Main and Walnut Sts.): Closed starting at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, through 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.
• Walnut Street (between 13th and 14th Sts.): Closed starting at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, through 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.
• Truman Rd. N. will be limited to one lane between Oak St. and Walnut St., Monday, March 6 at 10 a.m., through Sunday, March 12, at 6 a.m.
• One southbound lane on Oak Street will be closed between 13th St. and Truman Rd. N., Wednesday, March 8 at 8 a.m., through Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m.
• Residents and guests of Two Light apartments will have access to the building’s garage throughout the event.

In addition, Kansas City’s Big 12 Run will close the following streets on Saturday, March 11, on a rolling basis starting at 9 a.m. until the conclusion of the race (approximately 11:30 a.m.) Traffic will be allowed to cross the race route when deemed safe to do so by KCPD. The course map can be found at big12run.com.

• Grand Blvd. between 9th and 13th St.
• 9th St. between Grand Blvd. and Woodland Ave.
• Woodland Ave. between 9th St. and Independence Ave.
• Independence Ave. between Woodland Ave. and Maple Blvd.
• Maple Blvd. between Independence Ave and Missouri Ave.
• Troost Ave. between 9th and 12th St.
• 12th St. between Troost Ave. and Holmes St.
• Holmes St. between 12th and 18th St.
• 18th St. between Holmes St. and Oak St.
• Oak St. between 10th and 18th St.
• 10th St. between Grand Blvd. and Oak St.

Not included in this list are streets closed or impacted by construction.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

Due to traffic congestion, city officials encourage drivers to allow for extra time when traveling to and through Downtown. Locals and visitors are encouraged to use the KC Streetcar.

There are approximately 40,000 parking spaces in Downtown KC. Kansas City utilizes Park KC, a convenient app that allows you to park where you see Park KC signs and pay for parking from your phone. Click here to learn more and download the app. For a detailed map of available lots/garages, go to VisitKC.com/Big12 and visit the Getting Around section. KCPD reminds fans to lock vehicles and stow valuables when cars are unattended.

The KC Streetcar is excited to welcome all Big 12 basketball fans. With wait times averaging 10-15 minutes, the KC Streetcar is the best way to get to the game and explore Downtown Kansas City. For a route map, operating hours and other information, visit kcstreetcar.org.

Providing convenient service for fans, the Main MAX bus route will run every 20 minutes during the Men’s Championship, while the line will be temporarily rerouted. Northbound buses from Crown Center (Pershing Rd. and Grand Blvd.), Westport, and the Country Club Plaza via Broadway Blvd. will stop at 12th St. and Grand Blvd. Southbound buses from 3rd St. and Grand Blvd. will stop at 11th St. and Grand Blvd. For further information as well as route maps of the Main, Troost and Prospect lines, visit ridekc.org or call the Regional Call Center at 816-221-0660, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FAN ACTIVITIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

With two locations in 2023, the Big 12 Fan Fest fan experience presented by Phillips 66 will take place on Grand Blvd. just outside T-Mobile Center and at Barney Allis Plaza just outside Municipal Auditorium. The free, interactive street festival features games, photo opportunities, food tents and promotional giveaways. The schedule is as follows:

Fan Fest on Grand Blvd:

Wednesday, March 8 – 3 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 9 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, March 10 – 3 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 11 – 1 to 5 p.m.

Fan Fest at Barney Allis Plaza:

Thursday, March 9 – 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday, March 10 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 11 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 12 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Check out VisitKC.com to learn more.

—