March Madness is just around the corner!!  SoCon Basketball Championships will again be held in Asheville, NC and the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.


North Carolina loves basketball and Asheville loves hosting the Southern Conference Basketball Championship Tournament!!  Again this year 2018 the Southern Conference Championships will be held at the US Cellular Center in downtown Asheville – just 2 miles from Oakland Cottage B&B (stay with us!  828 994 2627 reservations – a 5 minute drive or UBER).  Come and see this exciting tournament and road to the NCAA Final Four!!  Asheville has been sponsoring this tournament for many years now and we love bringing in Spring with basketball madness!  


Games will be occurring March 1-5 2018.  Doors open approximately one hour before tip-off.  On Friday March 1st Women’s Semi-finals and Men’s Session 1 will be held, Saturday will be Men’s Session two and three, Sunday, Women’s final and Men’s Semi-finals, Monday, Men’s Final.  Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, or call 800 745-3000.  Ticket prices range from $10 to $250… and up for those wishing for extra awesome VIP seats & action!
All Sessions GA book – $120.00
GA Single Session is $20,
Student & youth passes for GA Single Session – $10.00
Children 5 and younger may enter for free
Single Session – reserved seating on the lower level – $30.00
For those basketball extra enthusiasts, try the Tournament Club VIP book, which is $250.00 and is good for all sessions.  Enjoy reserved seating close to the action, along with complimentary beer, wine and meals with this great option.  And, the Tournament Club seating will open one hour before each session.
For even more excitement, consider the “Close To The Action package for two at a cost of $800, giving two of you a courtside experience as VIPs.  Perks with this include two premium courtside seats, two VIP passes and a convenient exhibition level, reserved parking space for every session.

The US Cellular Center is in the middle of our charming and vibrant downtown and within easy walking or driving to dining, shopping, local brewery tasting rooms, exhibits, music venues, museums, galleries and many other activities.  Additional fantastic activities are within a short drive include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, Chimney Rock Park, Navitat Ziplining and more.  And be sure to check out other events associated with the tournament, such as the Downtown Dribble and KidFest, Jamfest, Hometown Heroes night and Hoops Against Hunger.  

Downtown Dribble & Kidsfest will be on Saturday March 3rd from 9am to 11:00 am.  This noisy tradition begins at Pack Square and each kid participating will receive a free t-shirt and basketball and may participate in the “Dribble Parade” from the square to the entrance of the game venue, the US Cellular Center.  Additionally, each participant will receive free admission to the men’s quarterfinal session at noon.  Be sure and find out more about the 2018 SoCon Teddy Bear Toss (get your bear to toss with your donation to Mission Children’s Hospital)!  And enjoy other games and activities provided for kids at the Kidfest.

And what is a game without a tailgate party!  On Sunday March 4th in the afternoon from 1:30 to 3:45 pm, get jammin’ at the Jamfest right outside the US Cellular Center and enjoy featured musicians and local food and beverage vendors right there in front of the venue.

Just a brief smattering of what will be happening in and around the SoCon Basketball Championships.  For more detailed information be sure and visit the SoCon website.  Don’t miss it!  Enjoy the madness and early spring in Asheville!!