Time for March Madness and all the activities in Kansas City that go with it
March Madness has begun in earnest, and Kansas City is one of the centers of that basketball universe.
The Big 12 men's basketball tournament starts Wednesday at the Sprint Center, and with it are a bevy of associated activities. Outside the arena is Big 12 Game Day, with free activities for fans of all ages, as well as the Big 12 Campus ’Cue Off. Within walking distance is the Miller Lite Basketball Fan Fest at Kansas City Live!
(More Big 12 Tournament coverage)
Basketball-related events will continue next week when the NAIA Division I men's and women's tournaments come to town. The NCAA Tournament also will begin, and, although none of the games will be played locally, basketball fans will have plenty of choices of where to watch them.
Big 12 men’s basketball tournament
When: March 11-14
Where: Sprint Center, 1407 Grand
What: The semifinals will begin at 6 p.m. March 13, with the final at 5 p.m. March 14.
Info: $205-$360 for all sessions; SprintCenter.com, 816-949-7000
Big 12 Game Day
When: 3-7 p.m. March 11, 2-7 p.m. March 12, noon-7 p.m. March 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 14
Where: Sprint Center, 1407 Grand
What: Interactive activities held on Grand Boulevard will feature games and promotional giveaways.
Info: Free; VisitKC.com
College Basketball Experience
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. March 11-13, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. March 14, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. March 15
Where: 1401 Grand
What: Spectators with Big 12 ticket stubs will get a $2 discount for entry to the hall of fame, which will have extended hours during the tournament.
Info: $10-$14; CollegeBasketballExperience.com, 816-949-7515
Big 12 Campus ’Cue Off
When: March 11-14
Where: KC Masterpiece Food Truck, Sprint Center, 1407 Grand
What: If your school doesn’t win the basketball tournament, maybe it will win the barbecue competition.
Info: VisitKC.com
Miller Lite Basketball Fan Fest
When: March 11-14
Where: Kansas City Live!, Power & Light District
What: The all-day party will include shooting and trivia competitions, as well as other games, live entertainment, pep rallies and team watch parties.
Info: Free; PowerAndLightDistrict.com
NBA 2K15 Gaming Tournament
When: March 13-14
Where: YMCA, 3800 Linwood, and College Basketball Experience, 1401 Grand
What: Single-elimination gaming tournament will have first prize of $500 gift card.
Info: Contestants $50, spectators at College Basketball Experience $5; Eventbrite.com
NAIA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments
When: March 18-24
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 201 W. 13th, and Independence Events Center, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence
What: The 32 men’s teams will play at Municipal Auditorium and the 32 women’s teams at the Independence Events Center.
Info: Men, $5-$15: women, $5-$10; NAIA.org
Kansas City Tip-Off
When: 7 p.m. March 26
Where: Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway
What: “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery will perform at a concert to benefit Kansas City’s Medicine Cabinet.
Info: $35-$100; KCMedicineCabinet.org or UptownTheater.com
MOKAN Watch Party Fundraiser
When: 6-11 p.m. March 26
Where: Burg & Barrel, 7042 W. 76th, Overland Park
What: Guests can down beer and appetizers while watching NCAA basketball games and supporting young athletes.
Info: $75; MOKANKC.org
The BasketBall
When: 5 p.m. March 28
Where: College Basketball Experience, 1401 Grand
What: Benefit for National Parkinson Foundation Heartland will feature casino-style games, food, drinks and viewing of NCAA Tournament games.
Info: $150; ParkinsonHeartland.org, 913-341-8828
Where to watch
810 Zone (Harrah’s Casino)
Where: 1 Riverboat Drive, North Kansas City
Info: 810zone.com, 816-460-5060
810 Zone (Lee’s Summit)
Where: 1672 N.W. Chipman, Lee’s Summit
Info: 810zone.com, 816-994-3323
Bar Louie
Where: 101 E. 14th St. in the Power & Light District, 8600 N.W. Prairie View Road in Zona Rosa
Info: BarLouieAmerica.com
Brass Rail
Where: 4940 N.E. 81st St.
Info: BrassRailKC.com, 816-468-6100
The Brooksider
Where: 6330 Brookside Plaza
Info: BrooksiderBarAndGrill.com, 816-363-4070
Charlie Hooper’s
Where: 12 W. 63rd St.
Info: CharlieHoopers.com, 816-361-8841
Coach’s Kansas City
Where: 414 W. 103rd St.
Info: Coach-s.com, 816-941-2286
Coach’s Overland Park
Where: 9089 W. 135th St., Overland Park
Info: Coach-s.com, 913-897-7070
Dave and Buster’s
Where: 1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.
Info: DaveAndBusters.com, 913-981-6815
Gordon Biersch
Where: 100 E 14th St.
Info: GordonBiersch.com, 816-471-2340
Granfallon
Where: 608 Ward Parkway
Info: TheGranfalloon.com, 816-753-7850
Harpo’s
Where: 4109 Pennsylvania
Info: HarposKC.com, 816-753-3434
Johnny’s Tavern
Where: Seven locations in KC area and two in Lawrence.
Info: JohnnysTavern.com
Kelly’s Westport Inn
Where: 500 Westport Road
Info: KellysWestportInn.com, 816-561-5800
Lew’s Grill Bar
Where: 7539 Wornall St.
Info: LewsGrillAndBar.com, 816-444-8080
Margarita’s
Where: Five area locations
Info: MargaritasAmigos.com
McFadden’s Sports Saloon
Where: 1330 Grand Blvd.
Info: McFaddensKC.com, 816-471-1330
Mike Kelly’s Westsider
Where: 1515 Westport Road
Info: MikeKellysWestsider.com
Minsky’s
Where: All locations.
Info: Minskys.com
Nick and Jake’s Kansas City
Where: 5031 Main St.
Info: NickAndJakes.com, 816-421-1111
Nick and Jake’s Parkville
Where: 6325 Lewis St., Parkville
Info: NickAndJakes.com, 816-584-8535
Nick and Jake’s Overland Park
Where: 6830 W. 135th St., Overland Park
Info: NickAndJakes.com, 913-681-8535
Paddy O’Quigley’s
Where: 5317 W. 151st St., Leawood
Info: OQuigleys.com, 913-601-3511
Tanner’s Bar and Grill
Where: Eight area locations.
Info: TannersBarAndGrill.com
The Well
Where: 7421 Broadway
Info: WaldoWell.com, 816-361-1700
Westport Ale House
Where: 4128 Broadway
Info: WestportAleHouse.com, 816-756-5277
This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "Time for March Madness and all the activities in Kansas City that go with it."