March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for college basketball fans. People eagerly anticipate the unveiling of the tournament bracket and the intense matchups that follow. Many fans plan well in advance to attend March Madness games in person. However, circumstances sometimes change, leading fans to seek refunds on their March Madness tickets. So what are the policies and procedures for getting a refund on March Madness tickets? Can you get your money back if you can no longer attend the games?
The Short Answer
The short answer is yes, you can get a refund on March Madness tickets in many cases, but the specific policies vary by seller. Generally, if you purchased tickets directly from the NCAA or host venues, you can get a refund if games are postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled. For third-party sellers, their individual refund policies apply. There are some exceptions – once the tournament starts, refund availability becomes more limited. Acting quickly is important if you need to cancel your March Madness tickets.
NCAA Ticket Refund Policies
If you purchased tickets directly from the NCAA ticket office for March Madness games, you will be eligible for a refund in certain scenarios:
- The entire tournament is cancelled before it begins – You will receive a full refund on your tickets, including fees.
- Specific games are cancelled before they are played – You will receive a refund for the face value of the tickets.
- Games are postponed before they begin and you can no longer attend the rescheduled date – You can request a full refund on those tickets.
Once tournament games begin, the NCAA ticket refund policy gets more strict. At that point, only tickets for games that are postponed before completion are eligible for a partial refund of the ticket’s face value. The NCAA does not issue refunds for tickets to games that are played as scheduled.
The NCAA also states that they are not liable for any additional expenses incurred by ticket holders, such as travel or lodging costs. Those are at the risk of the buyer.
Host Venue Refund Policies
March Madness games are played at a variety of host venues and stadiums around the country. If you purchased March Madness tickets directly from one of the host venues, their individual refund policies apply. These policies vary by venue.
Some common host venue ticket refund scenarios include:
- Full refund if the entire tournament is cancelled prior to starting
- Full refund if your specific session is cancelled before it starts
- Partial or no refund if your session is shortened or cancelled after it begins
- No refunds for tickets to games that are played as scheduled
Check directly with your host venue for their exact March Madness ticket refund policy details. Act promptly if you need to request a refund.
Third-Party Seller Refund Policies
If you purchased March Madness tickets from a third-party ticket seller, such as StubHub, VividSeats, or SeatGeek, then their individual refund policies apply. These policies can differ significantly.
Some things to note when buying from a third-party ticket seller:
- They set their own refund rules and timeframe cutoffs.
- Refund availability can depend on whether they are able to resell your tickets.
- They may charge service fees that are non-refundable.
- Read their policies carefully before purchasing tickets.
Reputable large ticket sellers like StubHub do have fan guarantees in place to protect buyers in certain situations. But every company is different, so check the details.
Quick Refund Tips
Here are some quick tips on getting refunds for March Madness tickets:
- Act immediately if you need to cancel – don’t delay requesting a refund.
- Understand the specific refund policies before buying tickets.
- Purchase tickets directly from the NCAA or host venues when possible.
- Only buy from established third-party sellers with buyer guarantees.
- Get refund requests in writing via email whenever possible.
The earlier you can cancel your tickets, the better chance you have of getting a full refund. So act fast if your March Madness plans change.
Sample Refund Scenarios
Here are some sample March Madness ticket refund scenarios to illustrate the policies:
Scenario 1
- You purchased 2 tickets directly from the NCAA office for a Sweet 16 game in Cleveland.
- The night before, that Sweet 16 matchup is postponed due to COVID protocols.
- The game is rescheduled for a date you can no longer attend.
- You requested a refund from the NCAA ticket office immediately.
- Result: You received a full refund for both tickets including fees.
Scenario 2
- You bought tickets on StubHub for an Elite Eight game in Chicago.
- The day before, one team has a COVID outbreak so the game is cancelled.
- You quickly requested a refund from StubHub.
- Result: StubHub was able to resell the tickets, so you received a full refund including fees.
Scenario 3
- You purchased tickets from the host arena for a first round game in Indy.
- You had to cancel your trip shortly before, but after the arena’s refund deadline.
- You were unable to resell them third-party.
- Result: The arena policy had passed, so you did not receive a refund.
As illustrated above, acting quickly is key if you need to request a refund on March Madness tickets. Know the policies and don’t delay.
How to Request a Refund
Here are the steps to request refunds on March Madness tickets:
- Review the refund policy details from your seller for deadlines and eligibility.
- Contact them immediately by phone and/or email if you need to cancel tickets.
- Provide relevant details like order number, ticket section/row, original purchase date, and reason for refund.
- Follow up to confirm receipt of your request and expected timeline for processing.
- If your request is denied, ask for reasoning and escalate politely if needed.
For third-party sellers, it can also help to contact their customer service by phone for cancellations to get ahead of things. Be polite but persistent if needed.
Can You Resell March Madness Tickets?
Instead of refunding March Madness tickets, you may want to consider reselling them instead. Here are some tips on reselling March Madness tickets:
- Sell through the official ticket exchange or provider if possible – NCAA and host venues often have ticket exchanges.
- Resell through third-party ticket sites like StubHub.
- Utilize Craigslist or Facebook ticket groups to find local buyers.
- Consider adjusting your price to stay competitive and sell quickly.
- Transfer tickets electronically via official ticket accounts when possible.
If able to resell your tickets, you can recoup some costs even if at a loss. Buyers often seek last minute March Madness tickets too.
What Are Your Options for Unused Tickets?
For March Madness tickets you are unable to refund or resell, here are some options:
- Gift them to a friend or family member if possible.
- Donate tickets to charity so they can be used by others.
- Sell below face value to at least get something back.
- Use the tickets yourself and try to have fun if you can still attend.
While you may be out the money, gifting or donating tickets allows others to enjoy the games. Some income is better than none if reselling at a discount.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways on refunding March Madness tickets:
- Refund policies vary by original ticket seller – NCAA, host venues, third-parties.
- Act immediately if you need to request a refund to maximize chances.
- Know the policies before buying to understand refund eligibility.
- Reselling tickets is an alternative option to try to recoup costs.
- Unusable tickets can be donated or gifted as a last resort.
While getting a refund isn’t guaranteed, being proactive gives you the best shot. Avoid buying from unofficial sources and understand all policies upfront before purchasing March Madness tickets.
The Bottom Line
March Madness brings excitement but sometimes plans change. If you need to cancel your tickets, act quickly and understand the applicable policies. Refunds are possible in many scenarios if you follow procedure – just don’t wait until the last minute. Reselling tickets or recouping some value is better than nothing. With preparation and prompt action, you can resolve unwanted March Madness tickets.