10 Things You Should Know About CIAA Weekend
Are you planning to attend CIAA weekend? Are you on the fence deciding whether the tournament is worth spending your hard earned sports entertainment dollar?
Well, allow us to convince you that CIAA weekend is more than worth the time and money you spend in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina.
Respected College Basketball Tournament
Sure, March Madness receives all the hoopla, but did you know the CIAA basketball tournament is the only Division II postseason tournament shown live by ESPN. CIAA 2019 represents the 62nd year the conference has put on a postseason exhibition of basketball greatness. It is one of the longest running college basketball tournaments in the country.
CIAA Weekend Parties Everywhere
The week leading up to the championship game is one giant party. From large hotel ballrooms to rented out banquet halls, CIAA parties rule Charlotte, which also goes by the nickname “Queen City.” Called “Super Saturday,” the day of the championship game teams with festive events and activities. Bars overflow and restaurants have long waits.
Quality Basketball
We already mentioned the “Leader in Sports” televises the CIAA basketball tournament, and ESPN does not commit to the broadcasts out of the kindness of a studio executive’s heart. The reason ESPN shows up in Charlotte is because the quality of basketball is tremendous. Several CIAA basketball tournament competitors have taken their games to the NBA.
Book Your Hotel Early
More than 100,000 fans attended the tournament in 2018, which means hotels sell out rooms early. Many of the spectators who attended the 2018 event will return for CIAA 2019. This means those fans have probably already made hotel reservations. The sooner you book a hotel room, the better.
Uptown is Downtown
It gets a little confusing for fans from out of town, but the heart of Charlotte is not called downtown. Yes, some websites refer to it as downtown, but the true word to describe the central business district is uptown. Make sure you know the distinction before you hail a cab.
Good Eats
Charlotte has grown incredibly fast over the past 20 years and with population and economic growth, there has been a corresponding growth in high caliber restaurants. Although the region promotes North Carolina barbecue, the fact remains Charlotte has transformed into a world class culinary destination.
Be Prepared to Stay All Day
If you travel from outside of uptown, plan to make a day out of visiting the heart of the “Queen City.” This is especially true on “Super Saturday,” when music performances and other entertainment options come alive on every uptown Charlotte street corner to create more CIAA parties.
Pack a Jacket…
…but you might not need it. Spring arrives early in Charlotte, with average daily highs at the end of February and beginning of March at times touching 70 degrees.
Bring a Camera
You will want to capture the raw energy displayed on CIAA weekend. Memories are one thing, but memories you organize in a scrapbook last a lifetime and beyond. Bring a camera to enjoy memories of CIAA 2019 for years to come.
Great Public Transportation System
Charlotte offers an outstanding public transportation system to get around CIAA 2019. The bus line is called CATS and the light rail line is referred to as the LYNX Blue Line.