March Madness tickets guide: How sessions work, best seats and when to buy

Few sporting events match the intensity and unpredictability of March Madness. From buzzer-beaters to Cinderella runs, the NCAA Tournament turns neutral-site arenas into electric, high-stakes environments. 

But buying tickets can feel confusing. Especially when you’re deciding between single games and full sessions.

If you’re planning to attend March Madness, understanding how sessions work, what each round includes, and how seat location affects your experience will help you buy smarter. 

Here’s how to navigate March Madness tickets and find the best seats for your budget and goals.

How March Madness tickets work

Unlike regular-season college basketball games, March Madness tickets are typically sold by session or as “All Sessions” full-strip packages, rather than true one-off single-game tickets.

In the early rounds, each session usually includes two games played back-to-back at the same arena. For example, a Friday afternoon session may feature two first-round games, while a Sunday session may include two second-round games.

If you purchase a ticket for that session, you can attend both games, not just one.

At regional sites, Session 1 typically includes both Sweet 16 games at that location, while Session 2 is the single Elite Eight game at that venue. At the Final Four, separate listings exist for the national semifinals and the standalone national championship game, alongside full-strip options that include all three.

The only times you can actually buy a true single-game NCAA Tournament ticket are Session 2 at regional sites (the Elite Eight game) and the national championship session at the Final Four; every other March Madness ticket is sold as a multi-game session or a full-session strip.

This format is important when comparing prices. A session ticket might look more expensive upfront, but you’re actually paying for multiple games in a single ticket.

Should you buy single-session tickets or full-session packages?

The right choice depends on how much basketball you want to see, how flexible your schedule is and whether you’re following a specific team.

When single-session tickets make sense

Single-session tickets are ideal if:

• You want flexibility and aren’t committed to multiple days

• You’re traveling and can only attend one session

• You’re primarily interested in a specific matchup

Because each early-round session includes two games, you’ll still experience a full slate of action.

Single sessions are often the most practical option for casual fans or first-time attendees.

When full-session packages are worth it

Full-session packages (often labeled “All Sessions” or sold as full strips) bundle multiple sessions across the same venue and round. For example, a full First and Second Round package may include all sessions across Friday and Sunday.

Full-session tickets are ideal if:

• You’re a die-hard fan

• Your team is playing at that site and could advance

• You want guaranteed access if your team moves on

Packages can sometimes offer better overall value per game, especially if you plan to attend every matchup at that location.

How early should you buy March Madness tickets?

Timing depends on your flexibility, how tied you are to a specific team, and which round you’re targeting.

For early rounds, tickets often go on sale before matchups are finalized. If simply being there matters more than who plays, buying early usually secures better seat options and lets you lock in a preferred session or All Sessions strip. If you’re team-specific, waiting until Selection Sunday can confirm whether your school is at a particular site — but if a blue-blood or local powerhouse lands there, demand and prices can jump quickly.

In some early sessions with less marquee matchups, prices may soften closer to tip-off as sellers adjust to real demand. In others, especially when a popular team is involved, prices can move the opposite way.

For later rounds, buying earlier generally provides the best combination of seat selection and predictable pricing. As the field shrinks and matchups get bigger, inventory tightens and strong seats become harder to find.

Whichever round you’re targeting, it’s smart to monitor prices and compare sessions over a few days so you can pounce when you see a listing that fits both your budget and your preferred view.

How to find the best seats for March Madness

Seat selection for tournament games differs slightly from regular-season games because arenas are neutral sites and fans from multiple schools share the building. Where you sit can change the experience just as much as which session you choose.

Lower-level seats near midcourt

Seats along the sideline near midcourt provide the most balanced, “TV-style” view of both teams. You’ll have clear sightlines for offensive sets, defensive rotations, substitutions and late-game plays. If you care about seeing strategy develop on both ends rather than just highlights at one basket, this is the sweet spot.

Because these sections sit closest to the center of the court and often come with better amenities, they’re typically among the most expensive. On SeatGeek, this is where the interactive seat map really helps — you can zoom into specific lower-level sideline sections, compare rows side by side, and use filters to cap your max price so you’re only looking at options that fit your budget.

Baseline and corner seating

Baseline seats place you just behind the basket. You’ll be right on top of drives, tip-ins and free throws, and you’ll feel the size and speed of the players more than you would from midcourt. The trade-off is that you’ll lose some depth perception on plays at the opposite end.

Corners often offer a smart compromise between price and view. A lower-level corner seat can still give you a good diagonal angle on the court at a lower cost than true midcourt. If you’re using SeatGeek, you can tap into the Seat Views on the map to preview what the court looks like from specific corner or baseline sections before you commit.

Upper-level seating

Upper sections are usually the most affordable option and can still provide strong overall visibility, especially in basketball arenas designed for clear sightlines. From the upper sideline, you’ll see plays unfold like a coach’s diagram, which some fans actually prefer to being right on the floor.

Because March Madness crowds are highly energized — and each session bundles multiple games — even upper-level seats deliver a powerful atmosphere. If you’re value-focused, it often makes sense to look for upper-sideline sections instead of upper corners.

Interactive seat maps on SeatGeek help you visualize seat placement before buying, which is especially helpful in unfamiliar arenas.

Are resale tickets safe for March Madness?

Yes, as long as you buy through a reputable marketplace. Resale tickets are a huge part of how fans get into March Madness once primary allocations sell out, especially for in-demand sites and later rounds. The key is using a platform that lets you compare your options clearly and protects you if something goes wrong.

SeatGeek is built around that exact use case. Instead of jumping between multiple sellers, you see tickets from many sources on one interactive map, so it’s easy to compare prices, sections and rows for the same session or All Sessions strip. Deal Score rates each listing based on factors like price, location and similar seats at the event, which helps you quickly spot options that are actually a good value rather than just “cheap” on the surface.

Every order is backed by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee, which is highlighted across event pages and ensures that if your event is canceled or there’s an issue with your tickets, SeatGeek will make it right. Compared to buying from strangers on social media or less transparent sites, that combination of verified tickets, clear pricing and strong buyer protections makes SeatGeek one of the safest and most user-friendly ways to get March Madness resale tickets.

Get your March Madness tickets with SeatGeek

March Madness moves fast, both on the court and in the ticket market. Whether you’re buying a single session to catch two games, locking in Session 2 at a regional site for a winner-take-all Elite Eight matchup or securing a full-session strip to follow your team’s run, planning ahead helps you find the right seats at the right price.

Explore March Madness tickets on SeatGeek to compare sessions, view interactive seat maps and evaluate pricing with Deal Score. 

From early-round upsets to the Final Four, SeatGeek makes it easy to secure your spot and experience the tournament live.