The SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament is one of the most exciting events in college basketball. As the championship tournament for the Southeastern Conference, the SEC Tournament brings together the best men’s basketball teams in the SEC to compete for the coveted SEC Tournament title. This thrilling event takes place over five days in March, rotating between locations in SEC cities. With such an action-packed tournament featuring star players and top-ranked teams, SEC Tournament tickets are highly coveted by fans. Here is a detailed look at how SEC Tournament tickets work, from when they go on sale to how they are distributed and resold.
When do SEC Tournament tickets go on sale?
SEC Tournament tickets typically go on sale in late January or early February, around 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the tournament. The SEC Tournament is organized by the SEC itself rather than the host arena, so the SEC sets the on-sale date. The specific on-sale date is announced in advance so fans can prepare. Tickets are available for purchase online through Ticketmaster as soon as the on-sale begins.
Here are the recent on-sale dates for SEC Tournament tickets:
- 2023 SEC Tournament: Ticket on-sale date was February 3, 2023
- 2022 SEC Tournament: Ticket on-sale date was February 4, 2022
- 2021 SEC Tournament: Ticket on-sale date was February 5, 2021
SEC Tournament tickets typically sell out very quickly, often within hours or days of going on sale, so fans need to act fast once tickets become available.
Where can I buy SEC Tournament tickets?
There are a few different options for purchasing official SEC Tournament tickets when they go on sale:
- Online via Ticketmaster – This is the main source for buying SEC Tournament tickets directly during the initial on-sale. Tickets can be purchased through the SEC’s Ticketmaster portal once they go live.
- Ticket brokers/resellers – Ticket brokers frequently acquire a large inventory of tickets once sales begin. Reputable brokers like StubHub and Vivid Seats often sell SEC Tournament tickets.
- Team ticket allotments – Each SEC school receives an allotment of tickets to sell to their fans. Check with your school’s athletic department about purchasing through their allotment.
- Official SEC hospitality packages – The SEC offers premium ticket packages with perks like dining and drinks. These luxury packages sell out very quickly.
How much do SEC Tournament tickets cost?
SEC Tournament ticket prices vary based on the specific session and seat location. In general, tickets range from around $30 for upper level seats in early sessions to over $250 for lower bowl seats at primetime evening sessions late in the tournament. The championship game commands the highest ticket prices.
Here are some approximate SEC Tournament ticket prices:
Session | Ticket Price Range |
---|---|
Early sessions (Wed/Thurs daytime) | $30 – $100 |
Quarterfinals sessions (Thurs/Fri) | $50 – $150 |
Semifinals sessions (Sat) | $75 – $200 |
Championship game (Sun) | $100 – $300+ |
Ticket prices can fluctuate leading up to the tournament based on team matchups and demand. The SEC Tournament is very popular, so expect to pay premium prices, especially for marquee matchups.
Where is the SEC Tournament held?
The SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament moves between cities and arenas within the SEC’s geographic footprint each year. The SEC has anchor cities that host the tournament more frequently. Here are the recent and upcoming SEC Tournament host sites:
- 2023: Bridgestone Arena; Nashville, TN
- 2022: Amalie Arena; Tampa, FL
- 2021: Bridgestone Arena; Nashville, TN
- 2020: Bridgestone Arena; Nashville, TN
- 2019: Bridgestone Arena; Nashville, TN
- 2018: Scottrade Center; St. Louis, MO
Nashville, Tampa, Atlanta, New Orleans, and St. Louis are the most common SEC Tournament hosts. The tournament site impacts ticket demand and prices, with venues like Bridgestone Arena often commanding the highest ticket costs.
When is the SEC Tournament played?
The SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament takes place in March over a 5-day period, with 14 total games played. Here are the dates for recent and upcoming SEC Tournaments:
- 2023 SEC Tournament: March 8-12
- 2022 SEC Tournament: March 9-13
- 2021 SEC Tournament: March 10-14
- 2020 SEC Tournament: March 11-15
The tournament starts on Wednesday evening and runs nonstop through the championship game on Sunday afternoon. The full schedule features games in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions throughout the 5 days.
What is the SEC Tournament schedule and format?
The SEC Tournament features all 14 SEC basketball teams playing in a progressive single-elimination bracket format. Here is how the tournament schedule and format works:
- Wednesday – Four opening round games between the bottom seeds (#11-#14). These are single-elimination play-in games.
- Thursday – Second round games between the winners of Wednesday’s games (#5-#12 seeds) and the top four seeds (#1-#4) who receive byes. These are single-elimination games.
- Friday – Quarterfinals between the second round winners. Single-elimination.
- Saturday – Semifinals between the four quarterfinal winners. Semifinals are single-elimination.
- Sunday – Championship game between the two semifinal winners. The SEC Tournament champion is crowned.
The top four seeds earn double-byes into the quarterfinals, while seeds 5-10 earn single byes into the second round. The bottom four seeds must play opening games on Wednesday. All tournament games are single-elimination.
Who are the current SEC basketball teams?
There are 14 member schools that compete in SEC men’s basketball and participate in the SEC Tournament. The SEC teams are divided into two divisions for regular season play.
Here are the current SEC men’s basketball teams by division:
SEC East Division
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Vanderbilt
SEC West Division
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Auburn
- LSU
- Mississippi State
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
These are the teams that compete in the SEC Tournament each March. Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama are traditionally the top SEC basketball programs.
How are SEC Tournament tickets distributed?
SEC Tournament tickets are distributed in several ways once the initial sales begin:
- General public sales – A large block of all-session and single session tickets go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster.
- SEC member allotments – Each SEC school receives an allotment of tickets to distribute to their season ticket holders, students, alumni, and fans.
- Arena holds – The host arena holds back tickets for their own mailing lists and partners like premium clients.
- Official SEC hospitality – The SEC offers exclusive premium ticket packages that come bundled with hotel stays, parties, food, and more.
- Third-party brokers – Large allotments go to ticket brokers like StubHub and SeatGeek for resell.
The best availability comes during the initial public on-sale, especially for prime marquee sessions. Tickets sell out incredibly fast, so you need to act immediately once tickets go live online.
When do SEC Tournament tickets sell out?
Due to massive demand from rabid SEC basketball fans, SEC Tournament tickets sell out very quickly. The championship game, semifinals, and other marquee sessions like Kentucky games can sell out within hours of the public on-sale. Even the early round games can sell out within a few days or weeks.
Here are the typical sell-out timeframes:
- Championship Game: Hours after on-sale
- Semifinal sessions: Hours to days after on-sale
- Quarterfinal sessions: Days after on-sale
- Second round sessions: Weeks after on-sale
- Opening round: Can take up to a month to sell out
Your best chance at the widest ticket selection is right when sales first begin. Given the rapid sell-outs, buying early is highly recommended to get the SEC Tournament tickets you want.
Can you get SEC Tournament tickets on the secondary market?
Once SEC Tournament tickets officially sell out, the secondary ticket market becomes your only option for buying tickets. Ticket brokers, resellers like StubHub and Vivid Seats, plus person-to-person exchanges like Craigslist make up the secondary market.
Secondary market SEC Tournament tickets are typically marked up in price due to demand, sometimes substantially. Buy from a trustworthy source and beware of scams. The earlier you buy on the secondary market, the more selection and better prices you’ll find.
How are SEC Tournament seating locations and sections organized?
The SEC Tournament seating chart is organized into lower and upper bowls, with courtside being the most coveted and expensive option. Here is how SEC Tournament seating sections work in most host arenas:
- Courtside seats – Courtside surrounds the court itself with the closest view. Courtside tickets are ultra premium.
- Lower bowl – The lower bowl extends up into the lower sections of seats. These are considered premium seats.
- Club sections – Club seats are part of the lower bowl located under the overhang with access to clubs.
- Upper bowl – The upper bowl makes up the upper sections in the arena corners and ends.
- Suite level – The suite level features luxury suites and loge boxes for lease.
Lower bowl offers the best viewing experience and commands higher prices, while upper bowl seats are more affordable but further away. Courtside seats often exceed $1,000 per ticket.
What perks come with SEC Tournament VIP ticket packages?
The SEC Tournament offers special premium VIP ticket packages with exclusive perks built in. Here are some benefits included in SEC Tournament VIP experiences:
- Prime lower bowl or courtside event tickets
- All-inclusive food and drinks
- Multi-day hotel accommodations
- VIP parking passes
- Private lounge access
- SEC Tournament souvenirs
- Meet-and-greet opportunities
These luxury packages run thousands of dollars per person but deliver once-in-a-lifetime SEC Tournament access and amenities. They sell out extremely quickly every year.
What are the best value SEC Tournament tickets?
Given the high demand, full value can be hard to find for SEC Tournament tickets. However, here are some of the best values based on price and experience:
- Upper bowl tickets – Upper bowl tickets deliver the most affordable way into the action. Expect to pay around $30-$75 per session here.
- Session 1 or 2 tickets – The first two days offer lower prices before marquee matchups emerge later in the tourney.
- Group tickets – Buying SEC Tournament tickets in a group of 10+ can unlock discounts up to 20% off.
- Team ticket packs – Some schools offer discounted SEC tourney ticket packs for fans buying multiple games.
Shop early, be flexible on seating areas and opponents, and look for deals to maximize value on your SEC Tournament tickets.
Can you get SEC Tournament tickets at the box office?
Once SEC Tournament tickets officially sell out online, they will not be available directly at the box office. The box office only sells remaining inventory not taken up during the initial sales period. Because SEC Tournament tickets sell out so quickly, don’t expect to walk up and buy tickets at the box office unless you attend the opening games.
Conclusion
The SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament delivers thrilling NCAA basketball action featuring storied SEC programs. As one of the most in-demand college basketball events, SEC Tournament tickets sell out fast. Use this guide to understand the SEC tourney schedule, ticket purchasing options, seat locations, and best deals to experience March Madness SEC style.