College Basketball Stops in Tennessee

College basketball is back and 2024’s NCCA Men’s Basketball Division 1 tournament, one of the most watched competitions in sports, is March 19-April 8 on the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies homecourt at FedEx Forum in Downtown Memphis. Also, the SEC Tournament will be played at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville from March 13-17. Here’s some inspiration for serious and casual sports fans alike to celebrate game day as well as sports-related attractions you should visit in Tennessee. 

NCAA Tournament 2024 at Fedex Forum - Memphis

Experience the NCAA Tournament in Memphis this year from March 22-24 at FedEx Forum. Following Selection Sunday March 17, the University of Memphis will host the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Tickets to attend the games in Memphis are on sale now. You can purchase single game tickets separately or opt for all-session tickets if you want to catch all the action:
Session 1 | March 22 | 2 Games
Session 2 | March 22 | 2 Games
Session 3 | March 24 | 2 Games

Where to Watch the NCAA Tournament in Memphis

Brookhaven Pub and Grill

Pub grub at its finest, Brookhaven Pub and Grill is the perfect spot to catch the big games and enjoy some tasty food and drinks. Some fan favorites include the Bavarian Melt, the red snapper sandwich, and the Tiger Bleu Chips. Brookhaven also hosts live music often and has a large outdoor patio which is always popular when the weather is nice. 

Railgarten

Located near Midtown in Downtown Memphis, Railgarten is a very popular spot to spend time with friends and watch sports. Locals love the sandwiches offered from Sloppy Joe’s to burgers to grilled chicken sandwiches as well as brisket nachos, chicken tostada and chicken tenders. Set on 1.5 acres, you'll love the cozy outdoor spaces, railroad shipping containers, a volleyball court, large outdoor TV and multiple indoor TVs, secret spaces, games and more.

Max’s Sports Bar

Coined a quaint yet energetic bar located in the historic South Main Arts District in Downtown Memphis, Max’s Sports Bar is a great place to take a seat, take a sip and watch the action. With a ratio of one flat screen to every three seats, you’ll never miss a second of the games. There is even an outdoor covered patio with an eight-foot projector you can enjoy when the weather is nice. In addition to the wide selection of beer and bourbon, Max’s also offers a delicious variety of appetizers like BBQ nachos or queso as well as some tasty meals like their steamed subs.  

Bayou Bar & Grill

Established in 1987, Bayou Bar & Grill has been serving up top-notch Cajun cuisine to locals and visitors for over 35 years. They offer plates like muffuletta, Po-Boys, jambalaya, gumbo, oysters, étouffée, red beans and rice and much more. They have seven HD TVs as well as two 120” projectors where live games are always playing. If you visit Bayou on a Thursday or Saturday night, you can catch some live music, too.  

Sports-Related Attractions in Memphis

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Built in 1991, the Memphis Pyramid was once home court of the University of Memphis Tiger’s Men’s Basketball Team, and later for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. Various tournaments were hosted like the 1994 and 1997 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournaments, 2003 Conference USA Women’s Basketball Tournament, and the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 1995, 1997, and 2001. The Pyramid even hosted one of the biggest professional boxing matches in history, Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson, in 2002. Today, the Pyramid is home to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. It has the largest collection of waterfowl and hunting-related equipment in the world, fun activities like an archery range, laser arcade, bowling alley and more. There's also the 100-room hotel, Big Cypress Lodge, which overlooks the Bass Pro complex and places you in elegant outdoors-inspired accommodations. 

NBA Memphis Grizzlies

The only professional basketball team in Tennessee, the Memphis Grizzlies have seen much talent play at their home court of FedEx Forum over the years, including Zach Rudolph (2009-2017), Marc Gasol (2008-2019), and their current star, Ja Morant (2019-present), who has taken the NBA by storm as one of the top emerging players, earning Rookie of the Year in 2020 and First All-Star in 2022. The 2024 season will extend through the middle of April, so be sure to catch a game when you’re in the area.  

Memphis 901 FC

It’s sure to be a great time if you catch a Memphis 901 FC soccer match. Memphis’s own United Soccer League Championship team, a Division II professional league under Major League Soccer, 901 FC was founded in 2018 and plays their home matches at AutoZone Park, also home to the resident minor league baseball team, the Memphis Redbirds. Join the loyal home fanbase, the Bluff City Mafia, and root for the 901.

Shelby Farms Park

Perfect for a quick jog or day out in the sun, Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. Featuring over 40 miles of trails, the park is popular for walking, biking, running and hiking. The park is also home to over 20 bodies of water with fishing and kayaking, horseback riding, treetop adventures, paintball, laser tag, a dog park, restaurant, and even a roaming herd of buffalo. 

SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena - Nashville

The 2024 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament heads to Nashville, as Bridgestone Arena (home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators) hosts the annual celebration of SEC hoops from March 13-17. You can catch the action as the SEC’s top student-athletes battle it out for the tournament title. Purchase a Tournament ticket book which contains 7 tickets (one for each session) and allows 1 person to attend all 13 games. The first session begins 6 p.m. March 13 and the final session begins at noon March 17. Visit Bridgestone Arena’s event page to snag your tickets for this electrifying tournament. 

Where to Watch the SEC Tournament in Nashville

ACME Feed & Seed 

Creating a uniquely Nashville atmosphere with over 22,000 square feet of cocktail, culinary, and entertainment space, ACME Feed & Seed invites guests to experience a true taste of Music City. In celebration of the SEC Tournament being played at Bridgestone, Acme is hosting a free watch party and hang, all day/every day of the tournament. All the games will be shown on more than 22 TVs on the second floor, and you can enjoy drink specialties all week featuring Absolut and Jameson. You can RSVP at their Eventbrite link. RSVP's don't ensure entry or a table, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot.

Double Dogs 

A family-friendly bar and restaurant with several locations around Nashville, Double Dogs is an ideal spot to watch the games. With plenty of TVs and a large projection wall for the big games, Double Dogs features a fun amenity: individual audio boxes for each table so you can listen to any TV. Known widely for their delicious burgers and hot dogs, Double Dogs also offers milkshakes and a plethora of draft beers and specialty drinks. A dog-friendly outdoor patio with bar is also available and a really enjoyable spot on nice days.  

Beyond the Edge

Known as Nashville’s Neighborhood Sports Bar, Beyond the Edge is a locally-owned sports-themed bar and grill pouring up a diverse selection of local, craft, and seasonal beers. Thirty HD TVs are always on and broadcasting the biggest and best games. Offering daily 2-for-1 drink specials, Beyond the Edge also has a great menu which features wings, burgers, sandwiches, and more. And, if you want to get your game on, Beyond the Edge offers dartboards, billiards, Golden Tee, Singo Music Bingo nights, and Tuesday night team trivia. An official watch party location for Nashville SC, the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators, Beyond the Edge is a guaranteed top-tier spot for sports viewing in Music City. 

Corner Pub

A great spot to watch sporting events and one of the official watch party locations of the Nashville Predators and Nashville SC, Corner Pub in Downtown Nashville offers plentiful beer selections and ample menu selections for just about any appetite. Only two blocks from Broadway and Bridgestone Arena, it’s only a short walk away from all the action. With multiple TVs on every wall plus an enormous 50-foot LCD TV, there won’t be a missed moment. Corner Pub’s wings come highly recommended, as well as their country fried chicken, fried okra, fresh salads like the Corner Cobb, baked potatoes, and so much more.  

Fleet Street Pub on Printer’s Alley

Located in Printer’s Alley in Downtown Nashville a short walk from Bridgestone Arena, Fleet Street Pub is a UK pub and restaurant. All the food at Fleet Street, from the sausages to sauces, is made from scratch. There are also 14 beers on draft, including many British and local beers, as well as a wide range of British, European, and domestic bottles and cans. In addition to the authentic and delicious British-inspired fare, Fleet Street has great music, plenty of TVs for sports fans, and a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. 

Assembly Food Hall

Assembly Food Hall located Downtown right near Broadway features Nashville’s largest rooftop, 30+ eateries and bars, and 3 stages. From Nashville restaurant icons like Prince’s Hot Chicken, The Pharmacy Burger, Desano Pizzeria and Donut Distillery to a number of fully stocked bars like Homegrown, Single Barrel, and Agave Maria, Assembly Food Hall has a diverse collection of delicious food and drinks that can please any palate. 

Sports Attractions in and near Nashville

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

Serving to connect athletes, coaches, sports fans, and supporters by acknowledging life achievements implemented through sports, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is the spot to stop for any and all fans. Featuring figures from nearly every sport including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, track & field, and more, the Hall has over 500 inductees from retied Predators hockey player Mike Fischer to football legends Eddie George, Coach Phil Fulmer, and Peyton Manning. Currently based within Bridgestone Arena, the Hall of Fame is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Nashville Predators/Bridgestone Arena

Since becoming the NHL’s 27th team in 1998, the Nashville Predators have taken Music City by storm. Beloved Predators mascot, GNASH (pronounced “Nash”) and the team have called Bridgestone Arena home since their entrance into the league. The Predators have built one of the best and most loyal fanbases in all of hockey, affectionately called “Smashville” by locals. Current stars such as one of the NHL’s best defenseman, Roman Josi, and one of the top young goalkeepers, Juuse Saros, lead the team into the remainder of the 2024 season which lasts until the middle of April. Check out the Predators website for more details and a schedule of their games. 

Nashville SC/Geodis Park

Nashville Soccer Club's electric soccer games can be enjoyed at Geodis Park, a 30,000-seat stadium, the largest of its kind in the United States and Canada. Star attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar has led the team in scoring since their entrance into the MLS, winning the MLS MVP award in 2022. SC’s 2024 season continues until October. See the Nashville SC website for their schedule and tickets to experience the amazing fandom yourself. 

Other Sports Attractions in Tennessee

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame – Knoxville

Celebrating over 125 years of women's basketball through interactive exhibits and ball court activities, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame opened in June 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is the only facility of its kind in the world dedicated to all levels of women's basketball. Featuring a plethora of exhibits and fun activities, the Hall of Fame is our nation’s home of women’s basketball history.

Pat Head Summitt Legacy Park - Clarksville

Explore the hometown of the legendary NCAA Basketball Coach Pat Head Summitt in Clarksville. In Pat's 38 seasons of coaching, she produced a record of 1,098 wins and, at the time of her retirement, she had coached more winning NCAA games than any other men's or women's basketball coach had at the time. At the Pat Head Summitt Legacy Park, you can learn more about her early life, incredible basketball career and more with the interpretive displays and snap a photo of the bronze statue erected in her memory.

Wilma Rudolph Statue at Wilma Rudolph Event Center - Clarksville

Known as the fastest woman in the world, the legendary sprinter Wilma Rudolph, born in Clarksville, became the first woman to win three gold medals at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Her moving story of rising from poverty and childhood disease to Olympic fame, as well as her incredible list of awards, is well known. In fact, Clarksville renamed a street after her in 1994 and later commissioned a statue in her honor which now resides outside the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. The statue stands as a testament to her rugged determination and incredible drive to overcome adversity.