BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) -- The NCAA Tournament tips-off officially Thursday, though the action doesn't begin in Downtown Buffalo until Friday.
Area businesses are bracing for the mass of people that will be heading downtown over the next 4 days, where the estimated econimic impact for local businesses is expected to be between $3.5 and $5 million.
All three weekend sessions are sold out, and resell prices for some sessions are as high as $300 per ticket.
If the price for a ticktet is too high and you still want to catch some college basketball action, head down to the arena Thursday where teams will be holding open practices throughout the afternoon.
The practices are open to the public at no cost, and the team workout schedule is as follows:
12:00 p.m. - Morgan State
12:45 p.m. - Missouri
1:30 p.m. - West Virginia
2:15 p.m. - Clemson
4:25 p.m. - Gonzaga
5:10 p.m. - Syracuse
6:40 p.m. - Vermont
Concessions will be open thoughout the workouts.
Parking Information
Thursday and Friday
All city-owned ramps will be at capacity on Thursday and Friday due to regular parkers during the day. During the early afternoon hours and for the 12:00 p.m. Friday game, the HSBC and Adam ramps will be able to accomodate about 150 parkers at a rate of $5.00.
Friday evening rates will be $5.00 at HSBC, Augspurger, and Adam ramps. All other locations are the regular night rate of $2.00.
Sunday
Turner Ramp (next to City Hall) - Free
Main Place Ramp - Free
Fernbach Ramp (next to Rath building) - Free
Mohawk Ramp (477 Washington) - Free
Court & Frankin surface lot - Free
Augspurger Ramp (362 Pearl) - Free
Consistent with regular policy during all special events, there will be a charge on Sunday at the HSBC and Adam ramps of a rate of $5.00.
Fans attending the games who want to park for free can either walk from the free locations or park and ride the free above ground NFTA rapid transit line to the HSBC Arena.
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