Ahead of the 2026 Final Four and the National Championship March Madness games, which will take place on the 4th and 6th of April, respectively, The Action Network has conducted an analysis of how much (on average) it would cost the fans to attend the events with the analysis including ticket costs, accommodation costs as well as the cost of meals & drinks.
HIGHLIGHTS
- When the cost of accommodation, tickets, food, & drinks is summed up, 2 people attending the Final Four games as well as the National Championship (between the 3rd and 7th of April) would on average have to pay $6,244 (= $1,929 for accommodation + $3,511 for the tickets + $804 for food & drinks).
- To see both the Final Four games as well as the National Championship Game, the fans would pay (on average) $3,511 for two tickets, with the most expensive ticket to see the final currently going for $20,283.
- When the data from both Booking & Airbnb is combined, the average price of a 4-night stay for 2 people in Indianapolis, Indiana during the Final Four & National Championship games (between the 3rd and 7th of April) is $1,929, which is 159% higher than the week before the sports events and 189% higher than the week after the events.
- Taking into account the average Indianapolis prices, 3 meals a day, 2 soft drinks, and 2 beers (for two people, for 5 days between the 3rd and 7th of April) would cost $804.
ACCOMMODATION PRICES
Both the Final Four games as well as the National Championship game will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the Final Four games scheduled to be played on the 4th of April, while the National Championship game should be played on the 6th of April. For that reason, accommodation prices were tracked between the 3rd and 7th of April and compared to prices on the same days in the week prior and afterwards.
According to an analysis of 1,900+ accommodation listings across Booking and Airbnb:
- The average price of a 4-night stay for 2 people in Indianapolis, Indiana on Booking.com during the Final Four & National Championship games (between the 3rd and 7th of April) is $2,244, which is 184% higher than the week before the sports events and 210% higher than the week after the events.
- The average price of a 4-night stay for 2 people in Indianapolis, Indiana on Airbnb during the Final Four & National Championship games (between the 3rd and 7th of April) is $1,614, which is 132% higher than the week before the sports events and 164% higher than the week after the events.
- When the data from both Booking & Airbnb is combined, the average price of a 4-night stay for 2 people in Indianapolis, Indiana during the Final Four & National Championship games (between the 3rd and 7th of April) is $1,929, which is 159% higher than the week before the sports events and 189% higher than the week after the events.
You can see the prices in detail in the table below:
FINAL FOUR & NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – INDIANAPOLIS ACCOMMODATION PRICES ANALYSIS
| Location | Date From | Date To | Booking Average Price For 2 People (4 Nights) | Airbnb Average Price For 2 People (4 Nights) | Combined Average Price For 2 People (4 Nights) |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | 27/03/2026 | 31/03/2026 | $791 | $696 | $744 |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | 03/04/2026 | 07/04/2026 | $2,244 | $1,614 | $1,929 |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | 10/04/2026 | 14/04/2026 | $723 | $612 | $667 |
TICKET PRICES
When looking at average prices of 2 tickets for the Final Four games on Ticketmaster (based on the average price of 600+ tickets analyzed), 2 people would pay $1,655. The cheapest tickets are starting at a price of $339 a piece, while the most expensive ticket is currently being sold for $16,236.
Meanwhile, to see the National Championship Game (based on the average price of 700+ tickets analyzed), 2 people would pay $1,856. The cheapest tickets are starting at a price of $224 a piece, while the most expensive ticket is currently being sold for $20,283.
To see both the Final Four games as well as the National Championship Game, the fans would pay (on average) $3,511.
FOOD & DRINKS
Taking into account the average Indianapolis prices from Numbeo, 3 meals a day, 2 soft drinks, and 2 beers (for two people, for 5 days between the 3rd and 7th of April) would cost $804.
In detail:
- 2 soft drinks for 2 people cost, on average, $12.8 per day ($3.2per 0.33 soft drink x 2 x 2 people) = $64 for 5 days.
- 2 beers for two people cost on average: $28 per day ($7 per 0.5l beer x 2 x 2 people) = $140 for 5 days.
- 3 meals for two people cost on average: $120 per day ($20 per meal x 3 x 2 people) = $600 for 5 days.
FINAL PRICE
When the cost of accommodation, tickets, food, and drinks is summed up, 2 people attending the Final Four games as well as the National Championship (between the 3rd and 7th of April) would on average have to pay $6,244 (= $1,929 for accommodation + $3,511 for the tickets + $804 for food & drinks).
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METHODOLOGY
- In total, 1,974 Indianapolis, Indiana accommodation listings were tracked on Booking.com & Airbnb, focusing on 4-night stays for 2 people between the 3rd and 7th of April (and compared to the prices in the weeks before and after – between the 27th-31st of March & 10th-14th of April)
- In total, 1,318 Ticketmaster ticket prices were analyzed, including both Final Four game tickets as well as the National Championship tickets
- The prices of meals & drinks were gained from Numbeo, focusing on the cost of living in Indianapolis, Indiana
