U.S. Bank Stadium will be open to the public on April 5 before hosting the games themselvesGETTY IMAGES
The NCAA men's basketball Final Four will be accompanied by a "four-day festival" in downtown Minneapolis next month, as the Tip-Off Tailgate "will take place April 5-8 along Nicollet Mall and will offer fans a variety of free attractions," according to Nick Woltman of the ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS. The festivities "will include a Ferris wheel" and a "concert series at The Armory." Before U.S. Bank Stadium "hosts the games themselves," the venue "will be open to the public on April 5 for team practices and autograph signings" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/7). In Minneapolis, Liz Sawyer notes the "growing list of festivities is designed to hype" the Final Four. Minneapolis Final Four Committee President & CEO Kate Mortenson called the festivities the "nation’s biggest college reunion." Similar to last year’s 10-day Super Bowl Live event, Nicollet Mall "will be loaded with food and drink stalls, live TV interviews, corporate kiosks and interactive games." Mortenson hopes the range of events "offer high-energy experiences for even those unable to afford the weekend’s games" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/7).
GET IN THE GAME: The ESPORTS OBSERVER's Andrew Hayward noted the Eleague x "Rocket League" Game Zone Presented by Axe "will be a four-day activation" during the Final Four Fan Fest at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Activation "will include the Collegiate Rocket League Spring Invitational tournament, which features the top four teams from the current CRL Spring Season" (ESPORTSOBSERVER.com, 3/6).
