March Madness 2021–What to Expect

Katie Hall
March 17, 2021

It’s March and you know what that means… it’s time for March Madness! The bracket is going to be announced starting at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday the 14th. Although cancelled last year due to COVID-19, it is back for 2021 with a different look than before. Here are the details:

Location

All games will be played in Indiana (unlike the past when they have been at regional locations until the Final Four)
There are a total of 6 different venues
- Lucas Oil Stadium
- Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- Hinkle Fieldhouse
- Indiana Farmers Coliseum
- Mackey Arena
- Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Teams will practice at the Indiana Convention Center
Teams will be staying at nearby hotels
- Each athlete has their own room
- Each team has their own floor

Spectators

Up to 25% capacity will be allowed for all games
Tier 1 participants will be allowed a maximum of 6 family members in each venue per game but won’t be able to have in-person contact with them for the entire duration of the tournament
- Tier 1 includes student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials.

COVID-19 Protocols

Throughout the tournament Tier 1 participants will be required to wear KINEXON contact tracing devices
Before arriving in Indianapolis, individuals must have 7 consecutive negative COVID-19 tests
Audience members will be wearing masks and social distancing
Players won’t wear masks during practice and games, but will be required to during all other times except hotel rooms and when eating

Through the various changes the NCAA has made to bring us March Madness 2021, the excitement of this tournament prevails as we cheer on our favorite teams, root for the underdogs, and eventually want to toss out our busted brackets.