The NCAA® has released figures reflecting the impact of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four®. Their numbers cover attendance, broadcast viewers, social media impressions, live video watched and community event attendance and program numbers.
“We are thrilled that hosting the Final Four provided an opportunity for San Antonio to shine in front of tens of thousands of visitors and millions of television viewers,” said Jenny Carnes, executive director of the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee. “We know our community will reap the benefits for years to come.”
Locals also participated in the weekend’s events as demonstrated by those who took advantage of VIA Park & Ride service.
VIA Metropolitan Transit, the public transportation provider for the San Antonio region, partnered with NCAA Final Four to move thousands of fans, safely and efficiently, to and from downtown fan festivities. Nearly 12,000 people used VIA’s convenient Park & Ride service to the 2018 NCAA March Madness Music Festival at Hemisfair and the Final Four Fan Fest at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
The busiest day of Park & Ride Service was Saturday, March 31, when 6,134 fans rode with VIA. On Sunday, 4,399 passengers took advantage of VIA’s free parking and $5 round-trip service. Another 1,292 rode VIA on Friday as festivities were kicking off. VIA’s Special Event Park & Ride Service connects thousands of fans and festival goers to major sporting events, concerts and festivals in Downtown San Antonio. The NCAA Final Four partnership with VIA included convenient planning and ticketing, through the Final Four app and VIA’s online tools.
San Antonio’s bike share program, SWell Cycle, also moved fans in and around the downtown area. In four days, 2,310 trips were taken, 13,530 miles were ridden, off-setting 13,000 pounds of carbon and burning 539,000 calories.