Downtown will soon be full of basketball action as the NCAA Men’s Final Four returns to Atlanta, March 30-April 2. Large crowds are expected during the four days of this exciting event.

Activity begins at the Georgia Dome on Friday afternoon with open practice from noon to 4 p.m. Open practice is free and open to the public, and beginning at 10:30 a.m. parking is free subject to availability. On Saturday, gates open at the Dome at 4 p.m. with the first game of the National Semifinals tipping off at 6:07 p.m. On Monday, gates open at 7 p.m. for a 9:21 p.m. tipoff for the National Championship game.

Activities will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center March 30-April 2 with NCAA Hoop City in Building A. This interactive fan festival will include competitions, basketball clinics, prizes and autograph sessions. On Sunday, April 1, thousands of young basketball fans will participate in the NCAA Dome Dribble to Hoop City. Participants will meet on International Plaza at the GWCC at 1 p.m. and will dribble along a route outside the Georgia Dome.

Please note, upper Andrew Young International Blvd, which runs from Marietta Street to Centennial Olympic Park Drive, will be closed Friday, March 30 through Monday, April 2 and will reopen Tuesday morning.

Throughout the weekend Centennial Olympic Park will be full of free musical entertainment and activities, including big screen broadcast of the games, and will serve as the epicenter of Final Four activity. Andrew Young International Boulevard through Centennial Olympic Park is closed until Wednesday, April 4. On Friday, the Park will open at 7 a.m. with activities running until 11 p.m. The evening culminates with a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. The Park opens Saturday morning at 7 a.m., with a 5K fun run at 8 a.m. and entertainment throughout the day until midnight. The Park plays host for more basketball fun on Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. and on Monday 3 p.m. to midnight.

Related activities will also take place at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and Morehouse College, with the YES basketball clinics on Saturday, April 1. Additionally, downtown restaurants—Max Lager’s American Grill & Brewery, Dailey’s, Pittypat’s Porch and Azio—will serve as official fan gathering spots during the weekend.

Philip’s Arena also has two activities going on over this action-packed weekend. On Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. Philip’s hosts the NABC All-Star Game, and the Hawks take on Chicago at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 1. For additional information, visit www.philipsarena.com.

For more information about the NCAA Final Four and details about all of the events, please visit www.atlanta.net/finalfour.

With thousands of attendees expected downtown this weekend, officials are encouraging everyone to “Make it a Breeze” and take MARTA. The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station serves the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park. Access is also available from Peachtree Center, Five Points and Vine City stations. Fare is just $1.75 each way. For additional MARTA information, visit www.itsmarta.com.

Parking is expected to be very limited in downtown and fans may find themselves in heavy traffic during peak periods. For suggestions on driving to the GWCC campus, please visit www.atlanta.net/finalfour.

With so much going, Final Four weekend is sure to be a fun time downtown.