Food, music and prizes: A fan’s guide to Big 12 Tournament weekend in Kansas City
The Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament starts 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, and fans from all 16 schools in the conference have much to look forward to beyond the action on the court.
It’s the first tournament with 16 teams since the conference added three new schools in 2024, meaning four teams will get a double bye for the first time. It could also be the first time fans and alumni of newcomers Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado experience Kansas City.
Whether it’s your first time or not,there are quite a few activities in store for both locals and visitors around the arena.
Here’s what fans can experience before and after the games during the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Musical performances
Performers will take the stage across Grand Boulevard at Power & Light District’s KC Live! Block from March 12-15. Artist Champagne performs Wednesday, March 12, and Montage takes the stage Thursday, March 13. DJ Charly Jordan performs her set after Friday, March 14.
Kansas City will welcome back Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, as he performs under his DJ Diesel alias Saturday, March 15.
All performances are after the day’s games are over, and are free to attend.
How much are tickets?
Tickets begin at $25 for the first and second sessions on Tuesday and increase in price as the tournament reaches the championship game. The cheapest tickets for Sessions 3 and 4 are $30, $35 for Sessions 5 and 6, $50 for Session 7 (the tournament semifinals) and $65 for Session 8, the Big 12 championship game.
The price also increases as you get closer to the court. For example, tickets in the lower level for Session 1 are priced at $60, $75 or $95, depending on your seating location, while tickets in the lower level for the championship game range from $164 to $245 before fees.
You can buy tickets on AXS, the tournament’s official vendor.
Big 12 Fan Fest
There will be fan events on Grand Boulevard outside T-Mobile Center each day during the tournament, and you don’t need a ticket to the games to visit. You can win prizes by participating in basketball challenges and entering game day giveaways while the Big 12 Fan Fest is open:
- Tuesday, March 11: 4 to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 12: 4 to 7 p.m.
- Thursday, March 13: 1 to 7 p.m.
- Friday, March 14: 3 to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 15: noon to 5 p.m.
Where can I park for the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament?
Downtown Kansas City has plenty of parking available near T-Mobile Center. The arena offers on-site parking in the red lot at 12th and Oak streets and the yellow lot at 13th Street and Grand Boulevard, which is the KC Live! garage.
You will have to purchase passes to these lots in advance online. Both lots cost $30 before online fees. Event parking opens three hours before the games.
Other than those, there are over 40,000 parking spaces in the downtown area. Many are paid lots, and street parking is available, though it may cost up to $40 during events like game days.
You can also park farther away and take the free KC Streetcar to the stop at 14th and Main streets, the closest to T-Mobile Center.
Big 12 Men’s Tournament schedule
Here’s the 2025 Big 12 Men’s Tournament schedule:
Tuesday’s games
- Game 1, 11:30 a.m.: No. 12 Oklahoma State vs. No. 13 Cincinnati
- Game 2, 2 p.m: No. 9 TCU vs. No. 16 Colorado
- Game 3, 6 p.m: No. 10 Kansas State vs. No. 15 Arizona State
- Game 4, 8:30 p.m.: No. 11 Utah vs. No. 14 UCF
Wednesday’s games
- Game 5, 11:30 a.m.: Game 1 winner vs. No. 5 Iowa State
- Game 6, 2 p.m.: Game 2 winner vs. No. 8 West Virginia
- Game 7, 6 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. No. 7 Baylor
- Game 8, 8:30 p.m.: Game 4 winner vs. No. 6 Kansas
Thursday’s games
- Game 9, 11:30 a.m.: Game 5 winner vs. No. 4 BYU
- Game 10, 2 p.m.: Game 6 winner vs. No. 1 Houston
- Game 11, 6 p.m.: Game 7 winner vs. No. 2 Texas Tech
- Game 12, 8:30 p.m.: Game 8 winner vs. No. 3 Arizona
Friday’s games
- Game 13, 6 p.m.: semifinal
- Game 14, 8:30 p.m.: semifinal
Saturday’s game
- Game 15, 5 p.m.: championship
Big 12 Eats
Fans going to the game can try exclusive foods and drinks, each matching a team in the Big 12 conference. Here’s what items are on the menu for the tournament:
- Arizona: Wildcat Mini Chicken Chimichangas, found at Stand 108 and Skystation 225
- Arizona State: Smoked Boneless Wings, found at Chopper Chicken 115
- Baylor: Brisket Sliders, found at Stand 113
- BYU: Cosmo’s Churros, found at Chopper Chicken 115
- UCF: Citronaut Drink (orange soda and vanilla ice cream), found at Stand 106
- Cincinnati: Cheese Coney, found at 816 Market @ 101
- Colorado: Chili Burrito Bowl, found at Stand 113
- Houston: Shasta’s Brisket Tacos, found at Taco Taco 110
- Iowa State: Green Chili Pork Walking Taco, found at Taco Taco 110
- Kansas: Big Jay Loaded Mac and Cheese, found at Stand 106
- Kansas State Powercat Steak Tacos, found at Backstage Burgers 119 and Skystation 208
- Oklahoma State: Orange Power Pizza, found at Oak Street Pizza 104 and Skystation 225
- TCU: Cowtown Loaded Tots, found at Stand 108 and Skystation 225
- Texas Tech: Masked Rider Burger, found at Backstage Burgers 119 and Skystation 208
- Utah: Majerus Special (pastrami smashburger), found at Backstage Burgers 119 and Skystation 208
- West Virginia Mountaineer Pepperoni Roll, found at Stand 104 and Skystation 208
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
