DALLAS — The stage is set and the upsets were a plenty! Now, it’s time for March Madness to go out in celebratory style as teams head to Dallas for the NCAA Women’s Final Four and the Division II and III championship games at the American Airlines Center this weekend.
The weekend also coincides with honoring the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
Four Division I teams have fought and punched their ticket to the Final Four and the matchups are now set.
WFAA was on site as things in Dallas became a little more official when the Final Four court by Connor Sports was installed. So, the countdown is on.
The fan experience events will kick off Thursday, March 30 and will last until the Division I championship game on Sunday, April 2.
Take a look:
Tourney Town
If you want to be a the epicenter of the celebration, tip off your weekend with fun for the entire family at Tourney Town. The free four-day festival is taking place at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. There will be special appearances, interactive games, giveaways, historical and Women’s Final Four team displays, photo opportunities, contests and more.
Party on the Plaza
Calling all pre-gamers! This free event is open to the public and takes place outside the American Airlines Center to celebrate the teams in the Final Four. You can enjoy food, drinks, merch sales, music, games and more.
Women’s Final Four Open Practice
The gym will be free to enter and open to the public if anyone wants to catch the Final Four teams up close and personal ahead of the matchups. Bonus? Activities and promos will be thrown in too.
The gates will open at the American Airline Center at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 30. The teams will practice from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Women’s Final Four Bounce
Youth ages 18 and under are invited to participate in a unique parade and free event, joining thousands of fans dribbling their way along the streets of Dallas and into Tourney Town presented by Capital One. The first 2,200 participants will receive a free basketball and T-shirt.
Registration and check in will begin at 8 a.m., and the parade will start at 10 a.m. at Dallas City Hall Plaza located at 1500 Marilla Street on Saturday, April 1. The finish line is set at Tourney Town at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Super Saturday Concert
The free and open to the public concert will take place at the AT&T Discovery District (308 5. Akard Street) in downtown Dallas and will feature an opening act and rapper Saweetieas the headliner.
The gate will open at 6 p.m., the opening act will go on at 7 p.m. and Saweetie is scheduled to hit the stage at 8:20 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Beyond the Baseline
Beyond the Baseline, presented by AT&T, is free and open to the public. It includes talks, panels and guest speakers designed to empower and equip women in sport and business with tools for personal and professional success.
Participants will also have the chance to ask panelist questions.
Click here to see a list of all of the sessions and panelist which include representatives from the Big 12 Conference, Dallas Mavs, Dallas Stars, NCAA and WNBA.
NCAA Title IX 50th Anniversary Showcase
The NCAA’s Title IX 50th Anniversary Showcase will be open at the AT&T Discovery District until the end of April. It’s a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX through a display of trophies, videos, uniforms, and other mementos that recognize and celebrate NCAA female student-athletes from all sports.
The exhibit also include artifacts from the NCAA, USA Basketball, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and more.
It’s a great way to learn more about the history of women’s basketball.
Schedule:
This is the second time in six years that Dallas has been selected to host a Women’s Final Four and it won’t be the last. The city was recently selected to host again in 2031.