Here is what you need to know about the 2025 Women’s Final Four
The 2025 National Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Final Four kicks off Friday in Tampa. Here is what you need to know going into the weekend.
This is the fourth time the women’s Final Four will be played in Tampa, and it is also the first since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both the semi-finals and championship games will be played at Amalie Arena.
The first game, between South Carolina and Texas, will start at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Game two will happen at 9:30 p.m. as UCLA takes on UConn.
The championship game will take place on Sunday at 3 p.m.
But if you are heading downtown for the games, make sure you have transportation planned out.
HART buses will run every 15-30 minutes or 60 minutes, depending on the route you are taking.
The fare-free TECO Line Streetcar will be running every 12-15 minutes.
Public and private parking will also be available in the surrounding areas for those who choose to drive, but heavier traffic downtown and higher prices are expected.
Visitors should also be aware of some ground rules within the arena.
The Amalie Arena bag policy will be in effect, meaning bags larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches will not be allowed. Exceptions are made for medical and parenting bags at designated entrances.
Other standard arena rules apply, such as no outside food and drinks, no signs larger than 36 by 24 inches, and no laser pointers.
But those who weren’t able to snatch tickets can still enjoy the downtown area in a musical way.
A free concert from the Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist GloRilla will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
There will also be food, games and live music at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park throughout the weekend.
More than 10 bands will perform at the park, spanning different genres, from rock to Latin and funk. The performances start at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.
The tournament and music festivals are expected to draw 40,000 guests and 25 million dollars to the Tampa community in just one weekend.
For more details on the games, reporters Sam Poulin and Tatyana Purifoy will cover the Final Four on the Z News Instagram page.
Credits:
ANCHOR: Gracie Campbell
PRODUCERS: Abigail Saxe and Sam Poulin
EDITORS: Paula Sanchez and Luana Martins
CAMERA: Ricardo Cuomo
AUDIO: Debora Gruenberg
TECH DIRECTOR: Carter Timmons
TELEPROMPTER: Tatyana Purifoy
GRADUATE ASSISTANT: Grace Ficara
FACULTY ADVISOR: Dr. Stephanie Anderson