It’s every basketball enthusiast’s favorite time of year because March Madness will soon be upon us! This “win or go home” tournament has been a fan favorite for decades as the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s tournaments take place on courts all over the country. New York City’s own Barclays Center in Brooklyn gets in on the action again this year, hosting first and second-round games. Additionally, many local bars have become college basketball hubs, so fans can check out all the games on the big screen. There’s nothing like cheering on your favorite team with fellow fans. So, it’s time to grab your tickets or find your favorite local bar and join in on all the fun that is March Madness!
A Little History on March Madness
The first NCAA men’s collegiate basketball tournament started in 1939. It was quite small back then, only consisting of eight teams, and was overshadowed by another, more prestigious tournament. The NCAA tournament gradually began to attract more of the top teams over the years. And by the 1960’s, it was the premier basketball tournament in the country.
Today, the men’s tournament consists of 68 teams who have either won their division or been chosen by the NCAA’s Selection Committee for an “at large” entry. The first women’s tournament saw 32 teams compete in 1982 and expanded to 64 teams in 1994.
Fill Out Your Brackets!
One of the most popular and well-known parts of March Madness is when fans get to fill out their brackets. It’s a visual representation of the entire tournament structure from start to finish, and people can fill out brackets by predicting who will win each game. Usually, people place bets or participate in fun office/friend/family pools to see who can fill out the best and most accurate bracket. The fun of the tournament is that on any given day, any team can win. Watch out for those wild upsets!
Barclays Center Host First and Second Round Games in 2024
Experience March Madness right here in NYC! The Atlantic 10 Conference will host its first and second-round games at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on March 22nd and 24th. There will be a total of six games over the two-day stretch, so there’s plenty of opportunity to get in on the action. No need to wait to see how the bracket shakes out. Secure your tickets now!
Can’t Make it to Barclays to Watch? No Problem!
NYC is one of the hottest sports cities, and March Madness is embraced and celebrated every year. If you can’t make it to a game in Brooklyn this year, no need to worry! There are lots of hotspots to catch every single game and check out their food & drink specials, so grab your brackets and head over to any of these official March Madness hubs.
Get in on all the game-day excitement during March Madness and check out all NYC has to offer! And for all the best NYC event insights, let EMRG Media be your guide this spring season and beyond. We’ll help you with all your upcoming event planning needs!
