Fans planning to attend the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship in Indianapolis may need to budget carefully. A new analysis from Action Network looked at ticket prices, hotels, and food and drink costs for two people attending the games from April 3 to April 7.
The findings show that attending both the Final Four and the National Championship could cost an average of $6,244 for two people.
Final Four 2026 Ticket Prices Breakdown
Ticket costs make up the largest portion of the total expense. According to the analysis, two tickets for the Final Four games average $1,655, based on more than 600 listings reviewed. Prices start at $339 per ticket, while the most expensive option reaches $16,236.
For the National Championship game, two tickets average $1,856, with prices ranging from $224 to $20,283.
Combined, fans attending both events would pay an average of $3,511 for two tickets.
“This is based on the average price of 600+ tickets analyzed,” the report states, noting the wide range in pricing depending on seat location and demand.
Indianapolis Accommodation Prices Surge for Final Four
Accommodation costs in Indianapolis also rise sharply during Final Four weekend. The analysis reviewed more than 1,900 listings across Booking.com and Airbnb.
The average cost for a four-night stay for two people between April 3 and April 7 is $1,929. That figure is 159% higher than the week before and 189% higher than the week after the event.
Breaking it down further:
- Booking.com average: $2,244
- Airbnb average: $1,614
The report also highlights the range of options available. The cheapest Booking listing is $289 for a room located 12 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium, while the most expensive reaches $30,120.
On Airbnb, the lowest price is $231 for a private room, while the highest listing climbs to $46,751 for an entire home.
Final Four Food and Drink Costs Add Up
Food and drink costs also contribute to the overall expense. Based on average prices in Indianapolis, two people would spend approximately $804 over five days.
This estimate includes:
- Three meals per day: $600 total
- Two soft drinks per day: $64 total
- Two beers per day: $140 total
The analysis states that this reflects “average Indianapolis prices” for dining and beverages during the event window.
Final Four 2026 Total Cost for Fans
When combining tickets, accommodations, and food and drinks, the total average cost reaches $6,244 for two people attending both the Final Four and National Championship.
The breakdown includes:
- $3,511 for tickets
- $1,929 for accommodations
- $804 for food and drinks
The 2026 NCAA men’s college basketball semifinal games will take place on April 4 with tip-off times of 6 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET.
The national championship will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on April 6.
All games will air on TBS and can be streamed on the March Madness Live app and Sling TV.
The report is based on nearly 2,000 accommodation listings and more than 1,300 ticket prices, offering a broad snapshot of what fans can expect to spend for one of college basketball’s biggest weekends.
The Staggering Amount It Costs to Attend the 2026 Final Four: Full Breakdown on Tickets, Hotel, & Food