Guide to March Madness in Memphis

Happy March Madness, Memphis! Before your brackets get busted, here’s a quick guide to help you navigate March Madness in Memphis. Visiting us for the tournament? Hello! We hope you enjoy our city and everything it has to offer.

FedEx Forum will be ground zero for two thrilling days of basketball and potential Cinderella runs. Catch the action with a choice of four games in the first round on Friday. Winners of those games will face off for two games in round two on Sunday.

Andrea Zucker Photography

Here are the bracket lineups:

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

Session 1 - Doors Open at 10:10am (90 minutes prior to tip)

Game 1 - Colgate vs Baylor: 11:40 a.m.
Game 2 - New Mexico vs Clemson: 2:10 p.m.

Session 2 - Doors Open at 4:20pm (90 minutes prior to tip)

Game 1 - Texas A&M vs Nebraska: 5:50 p.m.
Game 2 - Longwood vs Houston: 8:20 p.m.

Tickets are sold by session and can be purchased here.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

Game 1 - TBD | Game 2 - TBD

March Madness

Catch a taste of the action with these free practice times:

Thursday, March 21 (FREE & Open to Public) Doors Open at 10:00AM

Colgate - 11:00AM - 11:40AM
Baylor - 11:45AM - 12:25PM
New Mexico - 12:30PM - 1:10PM
Clemson - 1:15PM - 1:55PM
Texas A&M - 2:00PM - 2:40PM
Nebraska - 2:45PM - 3:25PM
Longwood - 3:30PM - 4:10PM
Houston - 4:15PM - 4:55PM

Andrea Zucker Photography

March Madness Events in Memphis:

STARRY Hoops Madness Pop-Up Event

Head to Beale Street on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for this free pop-up for a day of basketball, music, and fun. Get a chance to compete against former Memphis Grizzlies legends Tony Allen, Mario Chalmers, and Rudy Gay in a three-point contest!

Guides to help you through March Madness:

When you’re not catching the games in-person at FedEx Forum, here’s a guide to our Favorite Bars in Memphis. Not all of these are sports bars, but hopefully you can find a few options to consider! In downtown you can’t go wrong with Max’s Sports Bar, Slider Inn, Flying Saucer, Birdie’s, or Local on Main.

Some of these games are LATE! Looking for a bite to eat after? Here’s our guide to 20 Places for Late Night Eating in Memphis.

Here are some more general food guides because sports often = pizza & wings. Check out our 25+ Places to Get Pizza guide and the best spots for wings.

Looking for something to do between games? Here’s our Weekend Guide that gives a ton options of what’s happening around the city. Or take a peek at our March guide that has events happening throughout the month.

About the Author

Hello! I'm Jalyn Souchek, the Director of Content for I Love Memphis Blog! I love calling the 901 home. When I'm not running the blog you can find me cheering on the Grizzlies, at a concert, exploring a new restaurant or kicking back at one of our breweries. I hope you'll love experiencing Memphis with me.

Build your perfect Memphis meal:

I love to eat so if I were to have only one meal left.. I’m going all out. I’d start with an app of Gumbo Fries from Blue City Cafe or Bayou Fries from Chef Tam, wings from Good Fortune or Central’s (honey gold and Jamaican Jerk), potato salad from Fat Larry’s, side of bbq spaghetti from Bar-B-Q Shop, and fried okra from Soul Fish. All paired with a Beale Street Brewing Space Age Sippin’.

Your most memorable Memphis moment:

College GameDay on Beale Street. That was an electric and perfect morning. I was still working in news then and was able to take it in up close and on the stage at some points. The fun and joy of everyone down there that morning is unbeatable.