BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Sports

Men’s Final Four Fan Fest 2024: See How Brands Stood Out Among All the Hoopla

Brands including Capital One, AT&T, and Wilson joined in on the madness in Phoenix with over-the-top activations and immersive experiences.

Michele Laufik
April 10, 2024

AT&TAt AT&T’s footprint, fans were able to design their dream basketball court using Al technology with a Samsung device. The “Dream Court” Al game allowed fans to play against the clock while shooting baskets from around their custom-designed court; prizes were given to those with the highest scores. The brand was also on site with the AT&T Block Party at the March Madness Music Festival, which featured headliner Zedd and supporting act Reneé Rapp with opener Remi Wolf.Photo: Courtesy of AT&T

PHOENIX—The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (aka March Madness) culminated at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Monday night. ICYMI: The UConn Huskies defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 in the championship game. 

In the lead-up to the final matchup, the Greater Phoenix area hosted a range of events, parties, and festivities, similar to the first time the city played host. 

In 2017, Phoenix was home to the Final Four, which brought nearly 60,000 out-of-state visitors to the destination, generating an estimated economic impact of $324.5 million for the state, said Ron Price, president and CEO of Visit Phoenix. (This year’s numbers are still being tabulated.) 

“Hosting a major event such as the NCAA Men’s Final Four gives our destination the opportunity to put the Greater Phoenix area and the state on the world stage, which helps grow our awareness to new travelers," he said. "It also provides us the opportunity to host CEOs and decision-makers in the destination during a prime season. ... One of our core pillars to success when hosting a major event is driving economic impact, and we know that bringing businesses to Arizona is the best way to accomplish that.” 

Part of that plan involves the 2024 Men’s Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One, which took place April 5-8 at the Phoenix Convention Center. This sports wonderland was filled with interactive games, celebrity and athlete appearances, autograph signings, and brand activations from big-name companies like Coke, AT&T, and The Home Depot. 

Keep scrolling to see more from inside the 2024 Men’s Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One... 

Capital One’s Chuck Stop & Magic Mart
Capital One’s Chuck Stop & Magic Mart
Capital One brought versions of the Chuck Stop and Magic Mart—as featured in its commercials with Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson—to Fan Fest.
Photo: Courtesy of Capital One
Fans could score some of Chuck’s Cool Stuff or Magic Merch at the activation.
Fans could score some of Chuck’s Cool Stuff or Magic Merch at the activation.
Photo: Courtesy of Capital One
'Scents by Chuck' candles with names like Eau de Nantz and Championship were on display.
"Scents by Chuck" candles with names like Eau de Nantz and Championship were on display.
Photo: Courtesy of Capital One
The space featured games with cheeky names.
The space featured games with cheeky names.
Photo: Courtesy of Capital One
Customers also showed their allegiance by placing a vote for either Team #ChuckStop or Team #MagicMart.
Customers also showed their allegiance by placing a vote for either Team #ChuckStop or Team #MagicMart.
Photo: Courtesy of Capital One
AT&T
AT&T
At AT&T’s footprint, fans were able to design their dream basketball court using Al technology with a Samsung device. The “Dream Court” Al game allowed fans to play against the clock while shooting baskets from around their custom-designed court; prizes were given to those with the highest scores. The brand was also on site with the AT&T Block Party at the March Madness Music Festival, which featured headliner Zedd and supporting act Reneé Rapp with opener Remi Wolf.
Photo: Courtesy of AT&T
Wilson Sporting Goods
Wilson Sporting Goods
The Wilson Sporting Goods space featured the first-of-its-kind 3D-printed Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball. Rather than being inflated, Airless Gen1 relies on a 3D-printed polymer lattice structure. The basketball nearly fits the performance specifications of a regulation basketball, including its weight, size, and bounce. The form of the ball features eight panel-like lobes and a familiar seam structure, with hexagonal holes across the surface allowing air to pass through freely.
Photo: Courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods
The brand also had a prize pack giveaway made up of special-edition 2024 Men's Final Four products, as well as a shop with a selection of NCAA-branded merchandise and new Wilson sportswear.
The brand also had a prize pack giveaway made up of special-edition 2024 Men's Final Four products, as well as a shop with a selection of NCAA-branded merchandise and new Wilson sportswear.
Photo: Courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods
CBS Sports
CBS Sports
At CBS Sports HQ & Paramount+ Fan Cam Walkout, attendees were able to create their own player walkout video.
Photo: Courtesy of CBS
An emcee announced their name as they walked through smoke and lights while giving high-fives. The videos were shared instantly.
An emcee announced their name as they walked through smoke and lights while giving high-fives. The videos were shared instantly.
Photo: Courtesy of CBS
The Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot invited fans to its Tool Shaq in both Phoenix and Cleveland, activating at the Men's and Women's Final Four Fan Fests.
Photo: Courtesy of The Home Depot
Fans could experience activities including a 'How to Work the Paint' (crafting activity), 'How to Seed a Bracket' (photo wall with live plants), The Big Dance Off with Shaq (an interactive dance-off with spokesperson Shaquille O'Neal), and Shaq's Shooting Drills.
Fans could experience activities including a "How to Work the Paint" (crafting activity), "How to Seed a Bracket" (photo wall with live plants), The Big Dance Off with Shaq (an interactive dance-off with spokesperson Shaquille O'Neal), and Shaq's Shooting Drills.
Photo: Courtesy of The Home Depot
The brand's mascot, Phil the Bucket, was also on hand to assist fans.
The brand's mascot, Phil the Bucket, was also on hand to assist fans.
Photo: Courtesy of The Home Depot
Coke Zero Sugar
Coke Zero Sugar
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar allowed fans to step into a recording booth to create a personalized AI-generated hype video and pose for a “Fan of the Year” magazine cover as Coke bottle confetti rained down on them. Experiential agency Momentum Worldwide produced the activation.
Photo: Courtesy of Momentum Worldwide
RITZ
RITZ
RITZ Toasted Chips presented an interactive basketball shooting game, where attendees could test their skills at the “Hoop Tree” with cracker-shaped backboards, as well as sample RITZ Toasted Chips.
Photo: Courtesy of RITZ
The brand also teamed up with Isaiah Thomas, who joined Fan Fest on Saturday to shine a spotlight on the new Sweet Habanero and Honey BBQ flavors and host a meet-and-greet with fans.
The brand also teamed up with Isaiah Thomas, who joined Fan Fest on Saturday to shine a spotlight on the new Sweet Habanero and Honey BBQ flavors and host a meet-and-greet with fans.
Photo: Courtesy of RITZ
Intuit TurboTax
Intuit TurboTax
At this fan zone, attendees could pose for photos with March Madness star Jack Gohlke, the NCAA trophy, and Final Four team mannequins, as well as play pop-a-shot. Plus, attendees could answer NCAA basketball- and tax-related questions. Depending on how many questions fans answered correctly, they received prizes.
Photo: Courtesy of Intuit TurboTax
Powerade
Powerade
At the Powerade activation, fans scored a dunk moment and received an animated digital poster showcasing their journey, along with samples of Powerade. Experiential agency Momentum Worldwide produced the activation.
Photo: Courtesy of Momentum Worldwide
Latest in Sports
NFL Draft Red Carpet sponsored by Toyota
Sports
See How Teams and Brands Scored with Fans at the 2025 NFL Draft
Woodford Reserve hosted another floral moment in the Paddock Plaza.
Sports
2025 Kentucky Derby: How the 151-Year-Old Sporting Event and Its Partners Attracted Younger Fans
WWE and Comcast entered a multiyear expansion of their partnership in which Comcast’s home internet brand, Xfinity, was named the Official Home Wi-Fi Partner of WWE, as well as the first partner to ever appear on the WrestleMania set.
Sports
WrestleMania 41: Get a Look at How WWE Took Over Las Vegas for Its Main Event
On-site staffers were decked out from head to toe in a “golf chic” outfit consisting of Authentic’s own portfolio of brands, including Reebok, Nautica, IZOD, and Lucky Brand.
Sports
See Inside Augusta After Dark—The Masters' Boldest Break From Tradition Yet
Related Stories
Fans could partake in Drive the City, a dribbling activation that challenged participants to weave through street signs, barricades, buildings, inspirational messages, and the 2024 Nissan Rogue on their way to the basket.
Sports
Women's Final Four 2024: How Brands Helped Celebrate a Record-Breaking Season
In January 2023, Universal CityWalk in Orlando was home to a Premier League Mornings Live fan fest for two days, celebrating fans of world-class soccer. Throughout the event, more than 9,600 fans of all ages enjoyed eight massive LED screens for live match viewing, plus on-site consumer activations, talent meet-and-greets, player visits, free merchandise, and more. The Premier League fan fest events are purposely kept family-friendly, the organizers told BizBash—noting that several experiential offerings were particularly popular with younger fans, like photo ops with the Premier League club mascots and the Premier League trophy, EA Sports-sponsored gaming stations featuring FIFA 23, airbrush tattoos, and a football pitch sponsored by Nike (pictured). See more: How NBC Sports and Premier League Hosted a Huge Fan Event Inside a Theme Park
Sports
10 Fun Ways Brands Have Courted Fans of All Ages at Sporting Events
Morgan Stanley's Sponsorship at The Players Championship
Sports
This Tech-Forward Morgan Stanley Activation Made Golf More Accessible to New Fans
AT&T Slam Dunk Competition
Sports
NBA All-Star Weekend 2024: See How Brands Leveled Up Their Activation Game
More in Sports
Sports
See How Teams and Brands Scored with Fans at the 2025 NFL Draft
The annual event welcomed returning brands like Courtyard by Marriott, while the city of Green Bay spotlighted its local culture with special offerings.
NFL Draft Red Carpet sponsored by Toyota
Sports
2025 Kentucky Derby: How the 151-Year-Old Sporting Event and Its Partners Attracted Younger Fans
This year's Run for the Roses included an expanded partnership with Ford, along with efforts to lure in more Gen Z attendees.
Woodford Reserve hosted another floral moment in the Paddock Plaza.
Sports
WrestleMania 41: Get a Look at How WWE Took Over Las Vegas for Its Main Event
Sin City welcomed wrestling fans with open arms, offering plenty of parties, performances, and playful activations that packed a punch.
WWE and Comcast entered a multiyear expansion of their partnership in which Comcast’s home internet brand, Xfinity, was named the Official Home Wi-Fi Partner of WWE, as well as the first partner to ever appear on the WrestleMania set.
Sports
See Inside Augusta After Dark—The Masters' Boldest Break From Tradition Yet
The inaugural event blended old-school golf prestige with modern luxury, capped off with an intimate, acoustic performance by Dave Matthews.
On-site staffers were decked out from head to toe in a “golf chic” outfit consisting of Authentic’s own portfolio of brands, including Reebok, Nautica, IZOD, and Lucky Brand.
Sports
Men’s Final Four 2025: See How These Brands Broke Through the Madness
Brands such as Capital One, AT&T, and Marriott Bonvoy hosted fun, fan-centric activations and experiences—and Shaq seemed to show up everywhere.
Once again, GoVision’s large-scale video displays were on site at the tournament, including the center-hung hexagon screen suspended over the Alamodome court in San Antonio. The eight-sided video screen comprises nearly 1,000 LED panels and weighs more than 42,200 pounds.
Sports
How Diversity, Community, and Branding Moments Made the 40th Miami Open a Win
Here’s an inside look at the history and evolution of the Miami Open—which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025—plus, all the campus highlights, from immersive brands and dining to pingpong and padel pop-ups.
The two-week Miami Open celebrated its 40th anniversary at Hard Rock Stadium, which took over as host venue in 2019, with 405,000 attendees who enjoyed the full campus experience. In addition to catching a variety of matches, guests played padel and pingpong, visited dozens of activations that educated and immersed, and indulged in a slew of local food and beverage options, from quick takeaway counters to fine dining experiences.
Most Popular
Strategy
How Canva Used Creativity and Community to Reimagine the Typical Tech Conference
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Step Inside the First-Ever, Brand-Packed Ulta Beauty World Event
Sports
2025 Kentucky Derby: How the 151-Year-Old Sporting Event and Its Partners Attracted Younger Fans
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cue the Confessional: How Hulu Transformed a Beverly Hills Mansion Into a Reality TV Paradise
Sports
See How Teams and Brands Scored with Fans at the 2025 NFL Draft
Event Tech & Tools
Event Tech Check: Cool New Solutions for Networking, Fan Engagement, Livestreaming, and More
Sports
See How These Fan Experiences at The Players Championship Engaged a New Generation of Golfers
This year’s tournament featured high-tech activations and partnerships with brands including YouTube and Roblox.
Cosm
Sports
How This Retro Talk Show-Style Event Celebrated 40 Years of Sneaker Culture
During All-Star Weekend, Nike's Jordan Brand and streetwear brand Union Los Angeles teamed up for a Late Night-inspired VIP experience—a fun nod to a memorable Michael Jordan appearance from the 1980s.
Last month, Nike's Jordan Brand and streetwear brand Union Los Angeles worked with Team Epiphany to host Late Night with Union, a live event taping that celebrated 40 years of sneaker culture through fun nods to old-school talk shows.
Sports
NBA All-Star Weekend 2025: See How These Brands Engaged Fans On and Off the Court
Brands such as Chase, American Express, and Nike hosted three days’ worth of fun fan experiences, events, and parties in San Francisco.
Hennessy Arena 2x2 Showcase
Sports
Super Bowl LIX: 75+ Standout Moments From the Week's Top Events and Brand Activations
In this jam-packed roundup, we're spotlighting our favorite event moments from brands like Sports Illustrated, Uber, Pepsi, Verizon, Reese's, Smirnoff, Nike, Barstool Sports, and many more.
Shaq's Fun House
Sports
How This Event Elevates Women Behind the Scenes in Sports
The Sports Power Brunch, which takes place during Super Bowl week, returned for its sixth year.
'Diversity in the room is good business,' said honoree Swin Cash to a raucous applause from the audience. Cash is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and the senior vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Sports
Super Bowl LIX: Event Producers Give Kendrick Lamar's Halftime Show an A
Event professionals praised the show's choreography, stage designs, and powerful messaging.
Kendrick Lamar performed at Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9, 2025. The show 'may have been the best field usage in halftime history,' says Matt Stoelt, one of 10 event producers who reviewed the performance for BizBash.
Page 1 of 12
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.