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Michigan State University is poised to achieve its 25th consecutive entry into the men’s NCAA Tournament.
MSU, representing the East Region, is scheduled to face USC in Columbus, Ohio on Friday afternoon.
Most Michigan natives can easily reach Nationwide Arena, where the first round game will be held.
If you are considering a trip to Columbus for the weekend, here is some important information about the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets that you should know.
NCAA Tournament First Round in Columbus
In the East region, Michigan State embarks on the NCAA Tournament journey as the seventh seed.
At 12:15 p.m. ET on Friday, the Spartans will commence their play at Nationwide Arena against No. 10 USC. The game will be broadcasted live on CBS.
The Spartans’ game on Friday marks the beginning of a series of four games happening in Columbus on that day. These games are all part of the East Region. The complete schedule is as follows:
- At 12:15 p.m., the 10th-ranked USC will be facing off against the 7th-ranked Michigan State.
- The game between No. 15 Vermont and No. 2 Marquette is scheduled for 2:45 p.m.
- At 6:50 p.m., the match-up between No. 16 Farleigh Dickinson/Texas Southern and No. 1 Purdue is scheduled to commence.
- At 9:20 p.m., the 9th-ranked Florida Atlantic team will be facing off against the 8th-ranked Memphis team.
On Sunday, the four victorious teams from the games will progress to the second round. The winners of the games played in the afternoon will compete against each other, while the winners of the evening games will go head-to-head. The specific game times for Sunday will be revealed on Saturday.
Michigan State NCAA Tournament tickets
In Columbus, tickets for the games are available for purchase based on sessions. In Session 1 at Columbus, MSU will be competing against USC.
As of Wednesday morning, the least expensive tickets available at Ticketmaster for Session 1, which includes the game and the Vermont/Marquette matchup, were priced at $64 in the upper levels.
Tickets for lower-level seating begin at approximately $120.
Getting to Nationwide Arena
Columbus is within a reasonable driving distance for many residents of Michigan, just like a trip to Chicago.
While flying is possible, opting for driving is a significantly more budget-friendly choice.
The address of Nationwide Arena is 200 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215.
If you are traveling from Michigan, your journey will take you southwards towards the southeast corner. Once you reach this destination, you will have the option to continue on either I-75 S or US-23 S. In the case of taking I-75, you will eventually merge onto US-23 S.
As you approach Columbus, travel on US-23 S and transition onto OH-315 S, approximately 20 miles away from the city.
Once you approach Columbus, make sure to take exit 1F towards Neil Ave. Following Neil Ave. will lead you to Nationwide Boulevard, where you will find Nationwide Arena situated on your left-hand side.
If you’re looking for an alternative way to reach the arena, consider using the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). For schedule information and guidance on which lines to take depending on your location in Columbus, visit COTA.com.
Parking at Nationwide Arena
With an impressive count of over 15,000 parking spaces, Nationwide Arena proudly offers ample parking options within a convenient 10-minute walking distance.
There is a wide selection of surface lots and parking garages to choose from.
You have the option to purchase parking in advance or on the day of the event at the arena.
All ride sharing services require pick-ups and drop-offs to occur exclusively on West St.
Does Ohio have legal sports betting?
Sports betting is legal in Ohio as of January 1st. Despite being two years behind Michigan in legalizing it, Ohio managed to handle over $1 billion in sports bets in its first month.
Although mobile betting is available in Ohio, there is no physical sportsbook located at Nationwide Arena where you can place your bets.
There were talks of a BetFanatics sportsbook circulating, but it has not come into existence as of now.
At PlayOhio.com, you can access a compilation of sportsbooks currently available in Ohio.
What to know when visiting Nationwide Arena
Similar to the professional sports venues in Michigan, Nationwide Arena operates as a cashless facility.
Only debit or credit cards are accepted for all purchases made within the arena. Additionally, mobile wallet options such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are also valid methods of payment.
Cash-2-Card reverse ATMs are conveniently located at the box office, main concourse, and upper concourse of Nationwide Arena. With these ATMs, you can easily convert your cash into a no-fee debit VISA card, which can be utilized within the arena. Moreover, these versatile cards are accepted at any place where VISA cards are welcomed.
The arena also utilizes mobile ticketing.
Due to Nationwide Arena being the home of a professional hockey team, alcohol is available for purchase at the venue.
There are also food choices at the arena that cater to those who prefer gluten-free and vegan diets.
In addition, Nationwide Arena provides sensory inclusion packs to accommodate individuals who may experience sensory overload in the surroundings. These packs consist of various items such as fidget toys, a lap pad with added weight, sunglasses, non-verbal cards, and headphones designed to reduce noise.
To find answers to additional inquiries about Nationwide Arena, please refer to their comprehensive A to Z Guide.
