Watching the Elite Eight of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament live is a dream for many sports fans. Getting tickets to see the top teams battle it out for a spot in the Final Four can be challenging but is definitely possible if you plan ahead and act fast when tickets go on sale. Here are some tips to help you get Elite Eight tickets.
Plan Ahead
The Elite Eight round takes place during the final weekend of March each year. The host cities and venues change annually. As soon as the NCAA tournament bracket is announced on Selection Sunday (usually the second Sunday of March), figure out which regional site makes the most sense for you to target.
Book travel and accommodations as far in advance as you can, as prices will rise dramatically as the event gets closer. Be prepared to pay a premium if you wait until the Sweet 16 is set before making arrangements.
Enter the Ticket Lottery
Most regional tournament host cities offer an official ticket lottery leading up to the event. Sign up for the lottery as soon as registration opens, which is usually shortly after Selection Sunday.
There is no cost to enter but you will need to provide your contact information. Lottery participants are randomly selected for the opportunity to purchase all-session ticket packages directly through the NCAA.
Watch for Pre-Sales
Before tickets go on sale to the general public, there are usually special pre-sales for select groups like alumni associations, donors to the host school or venue, and corporate partners.
If you have a connection to any of these groups, take advantage of pre-sale periods to beat the crowds. Set a calendar reminder so you don’t miss the limited window to purchase.
Buy at Face Value
Once public sales begin, typically a week or two before the event, move quickly to buy from official sources. The NCAA and host venues sell tickets directly at face value. Supplies are limited so log on right when sales start.
Expect high demand and potential website delays. Stay patient and keep trying if you encounter errors.
Use Reputable Resale Marketplaces
If official tickets sell out instantly, try trusted secondary marketplaces like StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. Prices will be inflated but they should have inventory available. Sort by price to view the cheapest tickets first.
Make sure to select verified resale tickets to avoid scams. Also check the seller’s reviews before finalizing your order.
Avoid Risky Alternative Sources
You may come across cheap ticket ads on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other platforms. But there’s no guarantee these are legitimate. Never pay with cash, wire transfer or pre-paid gift cards—that’s a red flag for fraud.
Sign Up for Ticket Alerts
If you don’t have any luck right away, sign up for ticket alerts on both primary and secondary market sites. You’ll be notified if last minute seats open up. Sometimes brokers and fans release extra tickets close to the event.
Head to the Venue
With some persistence and luck, you may be able to buy tickets in person on game day. Scalpers tend to lower prices right before tip-off to get rid of inventory. This is very risky but can occasionally yield deals.
Consider Single Session Tickets
Since all-session ticket packages cover both Elite Eight games, they are highly coveted. Single session tickets for only one game may be more obtainable. Show up early on game day and politely ask fans if they have extra tickets.
Join Team Booster Clubs
If your favorite school makes a Cinderella run, their athletic booster club may get ticket allotments. Consider joining the booster club in advance so you’ll be eligible if they distribute tickets.
Follow Public Sale Rules
Carefully adhere to ticket purchase limits and eligibility terms whenever buying directly from the NCAA or host venues. Violating the rules can result in canceled orders and blacklisting.
Beware of Fake Tickets
Only buy from trusted sellers and carefully inspect any physical tickets. Fake tickets may look convincing but have misspellings, wrong dates, etc. Digital tickets can also be falsified.
Travel with a Group
Try coordinating ticket purchases with a group of friends or family. Purchasing multiple seats together increases your chances compared to looking for single tickets.
Manage Your Expectations
Scoring Elite Eight tickets is hard. Be prepared for the likelihood that you may not succeed in your search. With planning and perseverance, you can greatly improve your odds but there are no guarantees.
Conclusion
The Elite Eight round of March Madness delivers exciting, elite college basketball. By starting early, exhausting all options, and avoiding scams, you can hopefully witness the action live. But buying tickets requires diligence, ingenuity and a bit of luck. Stay determined in your search and don’t give up hope until the final buzzer sounds.
