WHAT: Houston First Corporation, the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and the Houston Local Organizing Committee (HLOC), tournament Host Institutions, and KHOU Channel 11 announce a series of watch parties during March Madness. The parties kick off with the Southwest Athletic Conference Champion (SWAC) Texas Southern University Tigers advancing to the March Madness First Four. The next event will view the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and #1 seed, the University of Houston Cougars game. The watch parties will occur at Avenida Houston, the epicenter of exciting fan events during the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four®.
During these watch parties, fans will cheer on the Tigers and Cougars while enjoying music, basketball-themed activities, special guests from local media, and Men’s Final Four giveaways.
“Houston First Corp. is excited to offer basketball fans an opportunity to gather for what has become a signature event—March Madness Watch Parties at Avenida Houston. To have multiple Houston teams be part of this year’s tournament, along with the countdown to Houston hosting the Men’s Final Four makes this even more special,” said Michael Heckman, president & CEO of Houston First Corporation.
Additional watch party events at Avenida Houston are planned as the tournament progresses, and Host Institutions advance through the rounds of the bracket.
“It’s going to be a great time watching the tournament unfold during these watch parties,” says Holly Kesterson, President of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four Houston Local Organizing Committee. “No matter what happens with the teams competing, the road ends here in Houston, with the Men’s Final Four taking place March 31 – April 3. From these free watch parties to the exciting fan events during National Championship week to the semifinal and final games, we know that the experience for basketball fans, Houstonians, and visitors will be one to remember,” she states.
The bracket looks promising for the TSU Tigers, as they defeated the #1 and #2 seeds in the SWAC to clinch the championship. Next, they take on the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights as they vie to join the Round of 64 on the road to the Final Four. The Houston Cougars are the overall #2 seed in the tournament seeking their sixth appearance in the Final Four with the 2023 AAC Coach and Player of the Year, Kelvin Sampson and Marcus Sasser.
WHEN: Texas Southern University vs Fairleigh Dickinson Knights Watch Party – Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 5:40 p.m., free admission beginning at 4:30 p.m.
WHEN: University of Houston vs Northern Kentucky Norse Watch Party – Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 8:20 p.m., with free admission beginning at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Avenida Houston, 1001 Avenida de las Américas, Houston, TX 77010
VISUALS: HLOC members, UH Fans, TSU Fans, the Final Four Fan Jam Truck, and Men’s Final Four-themed giveaway items.
About the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four®
Houston will host the 2023 Men’s Final Four® from March 31 through April 3, 2023. Houston Christian University, Rice University, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston will make history as the first quartet of institutions to host the Final Four. Games will be played on April 1 and 3 at NRG Stadium. The city of Houston is hosting the event for the fourth time, having previously crowned national champions in 1971, 2011, and 2016.
For more information, visit www.ncaa.com/mensfinalfour.
