Everything You Need to Know About March Madness in Newark, New Jersey
Your locals-approved guide to the NCAA Tournament games at the Prudential Center this year
Welcome to Newark, the Garden State’s largest city, and the third oldest city in the United States. The Puritans founded Newark in 1666 after losing political power in Connecticut, which, naturally, explains the fervor behind the Big East’s Seton Hall-UConn rivalry. March Madness will touch down in Newark for the first time since 2011 when the Prudential Center hosts the East Regional on March 27 and March 29.
Icons like Frankie Valli, Gloria Gaynor, Ray Liotta, and Michael B. Jordan all hail from “Brick City.” 80s kids and Cobra Kai fans may remember that a certain All-Valley karate champ was born here, too. But you’re not in town for the celebrity and fame, you’re here for the Sekai Taiki of college hoops—the NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball tournament. Here we’ll dive in and make the most of your trip to Newark for the men’s March Madness tournament.
How do I get tickets?
Sadly, general public all-session tickets for the NCAA East Regional Finals at the Prudential Center are all sold out. Luckily, you can still find individual game and session tix via secondary marketplaces like StubHub, Vivid Seats, Ticket City, and others. Sure, there's probably a 40% markup after service fees, but it’s March Madness!
Other options include sites like On Location for great seats, hospitality packages, and perks like open bar, behind-the-scenes access, and merch. You can even take a photo with the NABC trophy. You've already trekked across state lines to watch your alma mater on the big stage and you probably already spent a pretty penny on travel and hotel accommodations. Don’t let another $500-$1500 stop you!
You can still purchase primo seating packages directly through the Prudential Center if you’re willing to splurge even further. Prices range from a few grand to $30K+ for suites that come with food, drinks, private lounge access, and a VIP entrance.
For those looking to be a bit more budget conscious, you can keep your eyes peeled for fans of losing teams who may be willing to give up their seats on the way out. Scout the perimeter of the arena for out-of-towners wearing the jerseys of losing teams and strike! There's a decent chance they’ll hawk their remaining tix/sessions to go drown their sorrows elsewhere. You get discounted seats, and they get discounted drinks.
If you’re utilizing the secondary market sites and you have a choice of where to sit, you can’t really go wrong at The Rock. Sticking with the “splurge” theme, center court seats (sections 8 and 19) are both optimal and available on the secondary market. Think 12 or 13 rows up for the best views.
For tickets at much lower prices, the corners of the 200 section (the upper bowl) provide pretty cool vantage points. The seats are a bit more cramped, but there’s something to be said for the bird’s eye view in a packed, raucous environment. General rule: top row of the lower bowl and bottom row of the upper bowl are key. You may or may not be closer to the action, but you will definitely be closer to concessions and restrooms (and the exits when it’s time to go).
How do I get there? How should I get around?
If you’re flying into Newark Airport (EWR), I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that you’re just four miles from downtown and the Prudential Center. The bad news? If you’re flying in on Thursday or Friday afternoon, may the lord have mercy on your soul. It’s bad enough dealing with rush hour traffic in Newark on a normal weekday. On the day of the Sweet 16 with thousands of fans descending on the area? It's going to be nuts. Regional semifinal games typically start around 6:00 p.m. If you don’t want to risk missing tipoff, aim for arrival times before 3:00 p.m. Personally, I’d avoid flying in on Thursday altogether if you can. You’ll save yourself a headache.
EWR is a gigantic United Airlines hub so you’re in luck if you’ve been building United miles. Other airlines including Spirit are common here but domestically, United owns close to 70% of the market share.
The great thing about the Prudential Center in downtown Newark is that it’s just two blocks away from one of the largest transportation hubs in the country—Newark Penn Station. Whether you’re taking the bus in or riding the rails to get here, Amtrak, NJ Transit, PATH, Greyhound, and more can bring you right to the Pru’s doorstep. Getting around downtown Newark by foot is fine and easy during the day. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by gangs of tourists for the three days the tournament is in town. At night, though, stick to rideshare or trains to get to and from downtown Newark.
If you’re driving in, perhaps re-consider, especially if you've never driven in New Jersey before. It can be scary! If you absolutely have to, there are plenty of lots in and around Newark Penn and the arena. Just book on ParkMobile in advance, as they will fill up quickly on game days. And if possible, avoid driving from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
What should I know about the venue?
The Prudential Center opened in 2007 and has been home to the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall men’s basketball since. This year, The Rock added the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League as tenants.
Beyond hockey and hoops, the Prudential Center is an entertainment powerhouse. From UFC, World Championship Boxing, and pro wrestling, to top-tier concerts and comedy shows, the venue has hosted some of the biggest events across the globe, attracting some 2 million guests per year. Speaking of the globe, did you know the Prudential Center was the North American home of K-Pop? Saranghae, Pru!
The Rock is full of tasty eats to help you forget about those bracket busters. Challah at your boy Pat LaFrieda by chowing down on a Ranch House Burger at Smash in sections 12 and 115. Other fan faves include the Devil Dog from Brick City Dogs (Section 4, 110), Cheese Steak Empanadas from Goya Cantina (101), and the fried chicken sandwich and Tres Mac and Cheese from Melba’s (107). The Rock has Kosher covered, too. For a luxury sweet and New Jersey staple, try the deep-fried funnel cake fries from The Boardwalk.
There are official rideshare drop-off and pick-up zones for all Prudential Center events, but it might take a while for your car to reach you when the games let out. You might have better luck if you walk a couple of blocks to meet your driver. Just don’t go it alone. Find a few folks with the same idea.
There are four main entrances, none of which get particularly bottlenecked upon entering or exiting. No matter which you choose, make sure to stop and take a pic at Championship Plaza with The Iron Man, the 22-foot, 7,000-pound stainless steel hockey player statue, or The Salute, a 900-pound bronze statue of Devil’s legendary goalie Martin Brodeur. There’s also The Rock sculpture across the street on Mulberry, a nod to Prudential’s Rock of GIbraltar-inspired logo.
Other places to eat (and watch)
Newark is loaded with things to do and places to eat. But you’re here for the games, so let’s keep it sporty by starting at Bello’s, located right near Penn Station. Newark’s first gastropub is a great sports bar to catch tourney action (and soccer). Play some pool and say you did it all for the gnocchi!
Redd’s Biergarten is a go-to for sports fans flocking to the Prudential Center. Partly because it's right across the street, but mostly because they have lots of TVs, a great craft brew selection, and reasonable prices. Try the German Wurst Platter.
If you're staying in Harrison (or not), The Parc is a great spot for wings, burgers, and sports. It's usually more of a laid-back setting, but with March Madness going on just across the river, that will probably change. Especially on Friday night (the night between games) when they have a live DJ.
Other must-dos
Depending on what time the two Elite 8 games start on Saturday, March 29, you might be able to squeeze in a Red Bulls soccer match. Sadly, it's not a home game at Sports Illustrated Stadium in nearby Harrison, but you will feel like it is at Bello’s, Redd’s, or a watch party at McGovern's.
Newark is a city full of rich culture and history, so if you're looking for non-sports stuff to do, you have to check out Branch Brook Park, the country's oldest County Park. It’s probably a little early for full bloom, but this Newark gem is home to the largest cherry blossom collection in the United States. There's a light rail that takes you from Newark Penn to Branch Brook Park if you want to save a few bucks on rideshare. Use the savings on one of Tony’s Hot Dogs near the Park Ave. bridge.
Final Tips
Come dressed for any climate you can imagine. Cool temps, spring showers, and gusty winds are all in play. Newark’s proximity to water—two rivers and a bay—and its downtown skyscrapers can create wind tunnel conditions at times. It’s also still March, where temps can dip into the 30s at night. A light jacket may be fine during the day, but pack a coat and some extra gear just in case you need to layer up. Also, wear comfy shoes for all the walking.
Every arena in the country has rules about what you can and can’t bring inside, and the Prudential Center is no different. Make sure you go over the arena policies before you arrive. Security does not play around. I’d hate for you to miss your favorite team because you got held up at the gate.
There will be some cool fan activations taking place on Championship Plaza and at Mulberry Commons during the tourney, so make sure to check those out before or after the games. Also, don’t forget to grab your Newark Fan Fest mobile pass. It’s your key to event details, watch parties, exclusive deals, and even a prize-winning punch card game.