Pac12 Tournament

[GoBuffs!!]

Figured it may be time to start discussion of the tournament.

I am debating on getting my parents tickets for Christmas. Any tips/tricks from those who have been? We have been to the Big12 tournament and ACC tournament years back, so we are somewhat familiar with what a tournament is, but not so much what it looks like with the Pac12 tournament in Vegas, plus those others were ~15years back.

Anyone know if there is a "CU hotel"? or where there events are? Looking to stay close to the event, but I stay at Hilton hotels, but looks like there are a ton of choices there.

 

[Bone Buff]

Alright, I've been to every Pac-12 tourney in Vegas (obvious exception being 2021, when no fans were allowed)

I think the you can purchase all-tournament tickets through the Athletic department now through mid January, however, that's a lot of basketball, even for me. I've generally just gone through the box office or stubhub or something day of and buy just the session CU is in. HOWEVER. This is the first time in a while Arizona has been really really good, so their fan attendance will go up, and they bring a lot of fans. Tickets to any session they are in will be more expensive, so that's the main reason i'm considering just buying a all tourney pass. Other fan bases aren't quite as populous. The LA schools will only really show up for Friday/Saturday, from what I've observed.

There's not really a "CU Hotel", basically, you just want to book one of the properties close to the Arena, the two closest being New York-New York and Park MGM (Formerly the Monte Carlo), But you'll see just a Sea of Pac 12 supporters on the floor of these casinos all week. The team has stayed at Park MGM the last few years, and I have personally seen some of the coaching staff at the lobby bar after the last game. MGM Grand and Aria are a little bit of a walk, but not that far. The Alumni Association holds their pregame event at the Beerhaus outside the stadium, I assume it will be there again? If not there, it probably will be nearby. They have had it at the Hard Rock Cafe across the street before as well.

Also, this year the Tournament falls on the same weekend as a big construction convention in town, so hotel prices kinda suck already.

Any other questions?

 

[GoBuffs!!]

Alright, I've been to every Pac-12 tourney in Vegas (obvious exception being 2021, when no fans were allowed)

I think the you can purchase all-tournament tickets through the Athletic department now through mid January, however, that's a lot of basketball, even for me. I've generally just gone through the box office or stubhub or something day of and buy just the session CU is in. HOWEVER. This is the first time in a while Arizona has been really really good, so their fan attendance will go up, and they bring a lot of fans. Tickets to any session they are in will be more expensive, so that's the main reason i'm considering just buying a all tourney pass. Other fan bases aren't quite as populous. The LA schools will only really show up for Friday/Saturday, from what I've observed.

There's not really a "CU Hotel", basically, you just want to book one of the properties close to the Arena, the two closest being New York-New York and Park MGM (Formerly the Monte Carlo), But you'll see just a Sea of Pac 12 supporters on the floor of these casinos all week. The team has stayed at Park MGM the last few years, and I have personally seen some of the coaching staff at the lobby bar after the last game. MGM Grand and Aria are a little bit of a walk, but not that far. The Alumni Association holds their pregame event at the Beerhaus outside the stadium, I assume it will be there again? If not there, it probably will be nearby. They have had it at the Hard Rock Cafe across the street before as well.

Also, this year the Tournament falls on the same weekend as a big construction convention in town, so hotel prices kinda suck already.

Any other questions?

Thanks that is good to know, I figured that was going to be the case.

Previously, particularly with ACC tournaments, as long as you weren't in the first session, you could get super cheap/free tickets by just watching for losing team's fans walking out. A few other scalpers out there, but being someone who was clearly going to the game, not just trying to turn it, we ended up with a handful of tickets, and just kept trading them for better seats. (Big upsets help there)

We also ended up changing hotels to the fancy Westin next to the arena from the airport LaQuinta after all the Maryland fans left once they lost. Although sold out, Hotel was mostly empty, and we ended up getting a room for just the change fee.

Being in Vegas, and in the age of digital tickets, figure most of those things are no longer valid. I saw that the Hilton's around the arena were all in the ~$200 range, so that's not bad at all. We went to the CU vs OSU showcase game at the MGM 8 or 9 years ago, it was super nice to be able to go down from the room to the game, and so few people there you could run out and get a Marg refill during a TV time out. It will be a bit different this year I am sure.

 

[RumblinBuff]

God, I miss the MGM Grand Arena. They would let you walk in there with a 24-rack of beers, and only check to make sure there was no glass in there before waving you through. T-Mobile is much more of a 'professional-style' joint. So, no fun, no outside booze, have to go through a metal detector, etc.

Tickets were just offered to season ticket holders, so I assume they're live for everyone, as well. Prices I saw for all-tournament passes are $349 for upper level, $429 for the lower level, and $559 for club level seating plus per ticket fees.

Like BB said, Park and NYNY are the closest hotels, but any of the MGM properties are relatively easy walks (except for the Signature, which would be a haul). Last year, I flew in a day early and caught the WCC Final at the Orleans the Tuesday before the P12 Tourney tipped. With Zona (and potentially even Utah) having a good season, tickets will be scarce, so I would recommend buying them in advance so you're not paying 400% over face just to see CU play not Arizona in their session.

My recommendation is always at least 1-day off-Strip. I usually shoot for semifinal Friday. A few years back we rented a car, went on a hike, and were back well in time to catch the semis. Last year, we did a nice dinner off-strip.

 

[FLounder]

God, I miss the MGM Grand Arena. They would let you walk in there with a 24-rack of beers, and only check to make sure there was no glass in there before waving you through. T-Mobile is much more of a 'professional-style' joint. So, no fun, no outside booze, have to go through a metal detector, etc.

Tickets were just offered to season ticket holders, so I assume they're live for everyone, as well. Prices I saw for all-tournament passes are $349 for upper level, $429 for the lower level, and $559 for club level seating plus per ticket fees.

Like BB said, Park and NYNY are the closest hotels, but any of the MGM properties are relatively easy walks (except for the Signature, which would be a haul). Last year, I flew in a day early and caught the WCC Final at the Orleans the Tuesday before the P12 Tourney tipped. With Zona (and potentially even Utah) having a good season, tickets will be scarce, so I would recommend buying them in advance so you're not paying 400% over face just to see CU play not Arizona in their session.

My recommendation is always at least 1-day off-Strip. I usually shoot for semifinal Friday. A few years back we rented a car, went on a hike, and were back well in time to catch the semis. Last year, we did a nice dinner off-strip.

you are a true 5 star poster

love

 

[ZandiBuff]

Thanks that is good to know, I figured that was going to be the case.

Previously, particularly with ACC tournaments, as long as you weren't in the first session, you could get super cheap/free tickets by just watching for losing team's fans walking out. A few other scalpers out there, but being someone who was clearly going to the game, not just trying to turn it, we ended up with a handful of tickets, and just kept trading them for better seats. (Big upsets help there)

We also ended up changing hotels to the fancy Westin next to the arena from the airport LaQuinta after all the Maryland fans left once they lost. Although sold out, Hotel was mostly empty, and we ended up getting a room for just the change fee.

Being in Vegas, and in the age of digital tickets, figure most of those things are no longer valid. I saw that the Hilton's around the arena were all in the ~$200 range, so that's not bad at all. We went to the CU vs OSU showcase game at the MGM 8 or 9 years ago, it was super nice to be able to go down from the room to the game, and so few people there you could run out and get a Marg refill during a TV time out. It will be a bit different this year I am sure.

Also note - when there are 2 games per session (first 2 days) - you cannot get into the 2nd game of the session with a ticket from the team that lost - there is no re-entry allowed.

You can re-sell the sessions you aren't going to - and again with AZ being a big draw this year, can probably get decent money as long as they don't **** themselves in the quarter finals (assuming they are a top 4 bye team).