Tampa businesses prepare for Final Four crowds
March Madness is coming to Tampa.
The 2025 National Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Final Four takes the court next weekend, on April 4 and 6.
This is how local businesses are preparing for the crowds.
Sparkman Wharf, a popular Downtown Tampa destination, is just a few steps from Amalie Arena, where the University of South Florida will host the tournament.
Businesses near the arena only have one thing on their minds — welcoming the fans.
Daniel Glaberson, the general manager of Splitsville, a Tiki-themed bowling alley and bar in Sparkman Wharf, said he is prepared for the action.
“It should be a great time,” Glaberson said. “There’s going to be a huge influx of people, and we can’t wait for people to come check out Tampa Bay.”
Glaberson said that because the business is so close to the arena, he organizes many large-scale events and even occasionally hosts hockey teams.
But some adjustments will be made before next weekend’s tournament.
“We added a little bit of staff and whatnot, scheduled more, ordered more to prep for that,” he said.
Splitsville is just around a 10-minute walk from Amalie Arena.
Tone Buck, a vendor outside Amalie Arena, said he’s ready for an influx in customers.
“I’ll be there waiting for the crowds, you know, it’s supposed to be packed,” Buck said.
Buck said part of his job is to get people excited before the game by selling merchandise that they can wave in the air.
But the Final Four is a tournament he is personally excited about.
“Not only do I love women’s basketball, I’m a season ticket holder and I get to make way more money,” Buck said. “Being a vendor and a fan, it kind of goes hand in hand.”
Credits:
Anchor: Sam Poulin
Reporters: Abigail Saxe
Web Editor: Clara Rokita Garcia
Producer: Carter Timmons
Assistant Producer: Gracie Campbell
Camera: Luana Martins
Audio: Tatyana Purifoy
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Editor: Paula Sanchez Ruiz
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson