2016 Final Four Team, NCAA, Media & Fan Hot Spots In Houston
This weekend, the college basketball world descends on Houston for the 2016 Men’s Final Four. The event returns to the Space City for the first time since 2011. Due to the spread-out, decentralized nature of America’s fourth largest municipality, the Final Four areas of activity will be based in three distinct neighborhoods of the city, with the games, teams and NCAA/media/fans each laying claim to their own stretch of this sprawling Southeast Texas town.
Below is a detailed look at the logistical setup of the 2016 Final Four.
Stadium
Saturday’s semifinals and Monday’s championship game will be played at the 14-year-old NRG Stadium, located in the southern part of the city, just south of the Medical Center area. Formerly known as Reliant Stadium, NRG is home to the Houston Texans’ gameday, administrative and practice operations (practice fields across Kirby Drive), as well as the mega Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Galleria/Uptown
All four teams are lodging in the city’s Galleria/Uptown area, six miles northwest of NRG and six miles west of downtown Houston. The neighborhood’s hub is the 3 million-square-foot Galleria shopping and entertainment complex, the largest mall in the state of Texas.
North Carolina – Hilton Post Oak
Villanova – Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria
Syracuse – JW Marriott Houston
Downtown Houston
The city’s downtown (six miles north of the stadium and six miles east of The Galleria) will serve as the center of activity for those not actually taking to the NRG hardwood. In the hours before and after the games, this area will offer the widest array of things to do.
NCAA Headquarters – Hyatt Regency Houston
Non Final Four Coaches Hotel – Hilton Americas
National Association of Basketball Coaches Convention – Hilton Americas & George R. Brown Convention Center
Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capitol One - George R. Brown Convention Center
March Madness Music Festival – Discovery Green (park across the street from convention center)
Houston Rockets versus Oklahoma City Thunder – Sunday at the Toyota Center (one block from convention center)
