City of Tampa, FL

03/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/18/2026 13:00

Weekend Traffic Advisory: March 20 - 22 News Convention Center, News Convention Center Sail Pavilion, News General, News Parking, News Special Events Coordination, News Tampa[...]

Expect heavy traffic this weekend as March Madness rolls into Tampa, with the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship taking place at Benchmark International Arena on Friday and Sunday. Thousands of fans from eight universities, including the defending champion Florida Gators, will be in town for the games.

Plan ahead for congestion and large crowds in and around Benchmark International Arena. Alongside basketball, conventions, plays and other activities will make for an extremely busy weekend.

Pro tip: Consider alternative transportation options - including the Free TECO Streetcar, DASH service, HART buses, and rentable scooters and bikes - to avoid congestion and the race to find parking.

Friday, March 20

  • Thespians - Tampa Convention Center, 8:00 a.m.
  • Major League Paintball - Raymond James Stadium, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
  • Great American Franchise Show - Tampa Convention Center, 11:00 a.m.
  • NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, Round 1 - Benchmark International Arena, 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
  • Yankees Spring Training - Steinbrenner Field, 6:30 p.m.
  • Straz Center shows - 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 21

  • Thespians - Tampa Convention Center, 8:00 a.m.
  • Major League Paintball - Raymond James Stadium, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
  • Tampa Girls Market - Water Works Park, 9:30 a.m.
  • Hyde Park Art Fair, 10:00 a.m.
  • Tampa Home Show - Tampa Convention Center, 10:00 a.m.
  • Great American Franchise Show - Tampa Convention Center, 11:00 a.m.
  • Straz Center shows - 4:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • Yankees Spring Breakout - Steinbrenner Field, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 22

  • Major League Paintball - Raymond James Stadium, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
  • Hyde Park Art Fair, 10:00 a.m.
  • Tampa Home Show - Tampa Convention Center, 10:00 a.m.
  • NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, Round 2 - Benchmark International Arena, 12:00 p.m.
  • Yankees Spring Training - Steinbrenner Field, 1:00 p.m.
  • Straz Center shows - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

To see the latest road closures that may impact your commute, visit Tampa.gov/road-closures. To view City of Tampa parking options, visit Tampa.gov/parking.

City of Tampa, FL published this content on March 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 18, 2026 at 19:00 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]