Where to stay for NCAAs this year

[Fletcher]

Assuming everything near the arena is full, where do people recommend we get a hotel room (cost is not an issue) for NCAAs this year?

Downtown Philly? Near UPenn? Just looking for easy access to the arena (e.g. short uber drive) and nice restaurants for dinner. Will not be hitting the bars or doing any local sightseeing otherwise.

Edited Monday at 05:47 PM by Fletcher

[PortaJohn]

4 minutes ago, Fletcher said:

Assuming everything near the arena is full, where do people recommend we get a hotel room (cost is not an issue) for NCAAs this year?

Downtown Philly? Near UPenn? Just looking for easy access to the arena (e.g. short uber drive) and nice restaurants for dinner. Will not be hitting the bars or doing any local sightseeing otherwise.

If cost isn't an issue then The Ritz, Four Seasons, or The Logan.  All in Center City.  For proximity there is no closer place than Live Casino & Hotel. 

I've thought of making a thread for the board on recommendations for places to eat and things to do.  If you guys are interested I'll post it this week.

[Fletcher]

4 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

If cost isn't an issue then The Ritz, Four Seasons, or The Logan.  All in Center City.  For proximity there is no closer place than Live Casino & Hotel. 

I've thought of making a thread for the board on recommendations for places to eat and things to do.  If you guys are interested I'll post it this week.

Thanks! Live Casino is booked, so looking at City Center.

Is there a train that connects Center City with Wells Fargo arena? Any safety concerns with taking the train there? We can do taxi/uber but that can be challenging with how crowded it gets around the venue.

[VakAttack]

I got an AirBNB in Center City.

[ionel]

9 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

If cost isn't an issue then The Ritz, Four Seasons, or The Logan.  All in Center City.  For proximity there is no closer place than Live Casino & Hotel. 

I've thought of making a thread for the board on recommendations for places to eat and things to do.  If you guys are interested I'll post it this week.

If cost is an issue are there public tent camp options with nearby portajohn? 

[PortaJohn]

Just now, Fletcher said:

Thanks! Live Casino is booked, so looking at City Center.

Is there a train that connects Center City with Wells Fargo arena? Any safety concerns with taking the train there? We can do taxi/uber but that can be challenging with how crowded it gets around the venue.

Broad St line takes you to the NRG Station which is a short walk.  Below is the link.  If you are staying in Center City you get on at 15th/City Hall to NRG.  BTW, The Logan in my opinion is the best overall place to stay in the City

https://www.septa.org/schedules/B?startStop=1281&endStop=152&directionId=0&date=2025-03-03

[PortaJohn]

@Fletcher as for safety concerns I'll say no but still treat it like going to any major city.    

[PortaJohn]

5 minutes ago, ionel said:

If cost is an issue are there public tent camp options with nearby portajohn? 

Philly is an East Coast City.  You want a tent camp.  Go to the West Coast and download that poop app.

Edited Monday at 06:11 PM by PortaJohn

[ewrestling4c]

We booked an AirBnB in Center City.  From individuals who went the last time it was in Philly (or anyone that knows), will there be a fan fest area like KC?  Where did everyone go in between sessions and such?

Our place is right by the Italian Market on 9th street. Good place to be? Easy to get to bars and eats? 

[macwoodfleet]

8 hours ago, ewrestling4c said:

We booked an AirBnB in Center City.  From individuals who went the last time it was in Philly (or anyone that knows), will there be a fan fest area like KC?  Where did everyone go in between sessions and such?

Our place is right by the Italian Market on 9th street. Good place to be? Easy to get to bars and eats? 

Philly has an area near the arena just like the entertainment district in KC called Xfinity Live

[ewrestling4c]

Thanks, I took a look and just wasn't sure how big it was. It looked more indoors and there seem to be a reservation needed but maybe not.

[BloodRound]

On another point - I am thinking it's just time to suck it up and grab a ticket for one session.  This will be my first time attending.  Is there any one particular session that is the best one to see for a first year attendee?

[Wildcat92]

I recommend having a friend that lives in Philly and crashing at his house like I'm doing.

[Fletcher]

17 minutes ago, BloodRound said:

On another point - I am thinking it's just time to suck it up and grab a ticket for one session.  This will be my first time attending.  Is there any one particular session that is the best one to see for a first year attendee?

Personally, my favorite is the quarterfinals. Guys wrestle conservatively in the semis and finals, but in the quarters you get some wrestlers who are just lucky to be there and they let it fly.

Yes I'm talking to you, Zeke Moisey.

[ewrestling4c]

BloodRound: In the past I have called or emailed schools after this weekend and every year I have found one school that has extra allotment they were willing to sell.   It has worked almost every year.

[BloodRound]

24 minutes ago, ewrestling4c said:

BloodRound: In the past I have called or emailed schools after this weekend and every year I have found one school that has extra allotment they were willing to sell.   It has worked almost every year.

Who you calling, the Athletic Departments?

[PSUDad97]

15-20 minute drive to the WF Center (easy back and forth with an Uber or a car) is the Marriott Courtyard in the 'burbs, just a thought, and has a nice bar, both in the hotel and next door at the Springfield Country Club.  Nice option away from the city.

Courtyard Philadelphia Springfield - Hotel Near PHL Airport

[1032004]

22 hours ago, ewrestling4c said:

We booked an AirBnB in Center City.  From individuals who went the last time it was in Philly (or anyone that knows), will there be a fan fest area like KC?  Where did everyone go in between sessions and such?

Our place is right by the Italian Market on 9th street. Good place to be? Easy to get to bars and eats? 

Don’t think this area is really considered Center City, but I stayed there recently and thought it was a pretty good spot.  Definitely get Angelo’s pizza & cheesesteaks

[BigRedFan]

31 minutes ago, PSUDad97 said:

15-20 minute drive to the WF Center (easy back and forth with an Uber or a car) is the Marriott Courtyard in the 'burbs, just a thought, and has a nice bar, both in the hotel and next door at the Springfield Country Club.  Nice option away from the city.

Courtyard Philadelphia Springfield - Hotel Near PHL Airport

Only available is the Presidential Suite at $519/night...

(I'm staying 40 minutes away at my cousin's house)

[GimJustafan]

booked DoubleTree by Hilton - Philadelphia Center City $275 per night 

[KCMO2]

On 3/3/2025 at 12:10 PM, PortaJohn said:

Philly is an East Coast City.  You want a tent camp.  Go to the West Coast and download that poop app.

Kensington disagrees.

[Wrestleknownothing]

4 hours ago, GimJustafan said:

booked DoubleTree by Hilton - Philadelphia Center City $275 per night 

and you get a cookie

[Elevator]

On 3/3/2025 at 1:39 PM, ewrestling4c said:

We booked an AirBnB in Center City.  From individuals who went the last time it was in Philly (or anyone that knows), will there be a fan fest area like KC?  Where did everyone go in between sessions and such?

Our place is right by the Italian Market on 9th street. Good place to be? Easy to get to bars and eats? 

that area of 9th has many fun and interesting restaraunts and is heavy on Italian options - most are not to expensive but also some higher end spots if you wish

[ewrestling4c]

On 3/4/2025 at 11:20 AM, PSUDad97 said:

15-20 minute drive to the WF Center (easy back and forth with an Uber or a car) is the Marriott Courtyard in the 'burbs, just a thought, and has a nice bar, both in the hotel and next door at the Springfield Country Club.  Nice option away from the city.

Courtyard Philadelphia Springfield - Hotel Near PHL Airport

 

On 3/4/2025 at 9:18 AM, BloodRound said:

Who you calling, the Athletic Departments?

I emailed coaches directly, called the ticket offices, anyone I could really get a hold of.