The 2026 men’s NCAA tournament begins March 15, and two of the first/second round games on March 20 and 22 take place here in Philadelphia. Find the whole schedule on Heavy Sports.
As Philadelphia prepares to welcome visitors, we know that many people will be riding with SEPTA for the first time. SEPTA is proud to provide everybody with safe and reliable service to travel to the games, and we’re happy to share this guide that will help you get to Xfinity Mobile Arena. You won’t have to stress about transportation and can focus on enjoying the games.
Riding SEPTA
SEPTA offers three transit networks to meet different needs:
- Bus – There are over 100 bus routes that serve both Philadelphia and extend well into the surrounding areas. The bus costs $2.90 per trip.
- Metro – SEPTA’s Metro network provides frequent service around the clock for $2.90, transfers included. The Metro is made up of subways and light rail (trolleys), and are designated with a letter (L, B, T, G, D, M). Services are designated with a letter and number (T1, T2, etc.)
- Regional Rail – SEPTA’s commuter rail service moves people between the City of Philadelphia and nearby suburbs, cities and the Philadelphia International Airport. Fares for Regional Rail vary based on trip details including the zone of your start and end stations, the day of the week, time of day and payment method. Check a schedule before you use Regional Rail.
If you’re coming from within the city to travel to Xfinity Mobile Arena for the games, you’ll want to take the [B] Broad Street Line to NRG Station, just a 10-minute walk from the sports complex; you can also take bus routes 4 or 17. For additional guidance on planning your trip, please see the sections below.
We highly encourage you to download the SEPTA App for the latest schedules, maps, alerts and real-time information (when available).
- Buses – Buses are identified by numbers. After pinpointing the nearest bus stop on the route you want, make your way there. Wait for the bus to arrive (the app will keep you up-to-date on this). After the bus stops, first wait for any riders who are exiting. Next, board the bus through the front doors and pay using the validator, which will be right in front. Pay attention to where you are while riding; you’ll need to request a stop when you want to get off. To do this, pull the yellow cords which hang around the edges of the bus. The bus will then let you off at the next stop. When possible, exit through the back doors.
- Metro – Metro services are identified by letters: L, B, T, G, D and M. Arrive at the station and head to the correct platform. Pay at the turnstile and then wait at the platform; always stay behind the yellow safety line. When the train arrives, wait for exiting people to get off before boarding.
- The T, G, and D lines are trolley services; when these are running on the street, follow the same directions as for buses. This includes needing to request a stop when you want to exit.
- The L, B and M lines are subway services; their stops are fixed, so you only need to listen for the one where you want to exit.
- Regional Rail – Arrive at the station and head to the correct track. Depending on the station, either tap at the validator or pay at the turnstile. Wait for the train at the platform; always stay behind the yellow safety line. When the train arrives, wait for exiting people to get off before boarding. While on the train, a conductor will come around to ask for fares. If you have already paid, simply present the same method you used for confirmation. If you haven’t paid, present whatever method you want to use, including cash. While on the train, listen to the overhead announcements to hear what station is coming up next so you know when it’s time to get off.
Video instructions on how to ride with SEPTA are available on our YouTube channel. You may also want to download our How to Ride digital brochure (PDF), a useful resource to keep on hand.
Planning a Trip and Navigating
One of the easiest and best ways to prepare for any trip on SEPTA is by using our Trip Planner, which can give you directions for travel on all of SEPTA’s modes from any starting point to end point. This same Trip Planner is also integrated into our mobile app, so it’s easy to navigate when you’re already on the go.
In addition, instructions for traveling with SEPTA services are included in the most popular navigation apps, like Apple Maps, Google Maps and Transit.
- Buses
- Note that some bus stops have shelters, others have benches and some are only identified by a sign. Many stops serve more than one bus route, so check the number on the lighted sign on the exterior of the bus to ensure it’s the right one.
- It’s important to be aware of your location so you can make sure to request a stop when you need it. Pay attention to street signs; you may also want to consider tracking your location on a navigation app.
- Metro
- The [L] Market-Frankford Line goes east and west. It’s also known as the L and is associated with the color blue. Eastbound trips head toward the Frankford Transit Center. Westbound trips head toward 69th Street Transit Center.
- The [B] Broad Street Line goes north and south. It’s also known as the B and is associated with the color orange. Northbound trips head toward the Fern Rock Transit Center. Southbound trips head toward NRG Station.
- Regional Rail
- Any Regional Rail line can take you into Center City – this is called traveling inbound. Going out of the city is called outbound travel. To get to downtown Philadelphia, you’ll want to exit at Suburban Station or Jefferson Station, which are right in the heart of the city. Another prominent location is William H. Gray III 30th St Station, a transportation hub also utilized by Amtrak for travel to places across the country.
Fare Information
- Contactless – Credit/debit cards, in physical form or through apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, are accepted on all SEPTA transit at any turnstile or farebox with a simple tap on the validator.
- For Bus and Metro services, you only need to tap on.
- For Regional Rail, please remember to tap both on and off.
- SEPTA only accepts the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and AMEX.
- SEPTA Key – These cards are a SEPTA product that act much like a debit card; you can decide how much money you want to put on your Key card and then use it for contactless payment anytime you want to ride SEPTA. You can purchase a Key card at dozens of locations throughout the city, like automated kiosks, SEPTA sales offices and retail stores.
- Quick Trip – Customers at Metro stations may purchase a Quick Trip ticket from Fare Kiosks for a single one-way ride on the [B] Broad Street Line, [L] Market-Frankford Line, [M] Norristown High Speed Line and select Trolley lines. Transit Quick Trips are not valid for bus rides. Quick Trips are available from station Fare Kiosks and are valid on the day purchased until 2 am the following day.
- Customers attending events in the Sports Complex area are encouraged to purchase a Quick Trip for their return trip prior to the event.
- Free transfers are not available with Quick Trip.
- SEPTA recommends that customers simply use a contactless bankcard to travel, eliminating the need for a Quick Trip ticket and adding additional travel privileges.
- Cash – You can also pay cash for any SEPTA ride, but exact change is required.
- For buses and trolleys, insert exact change into the machine at the entrance.
- For Metro, give exact change to the cashier in the booth, or use cash to purchase a Quick Trip from a Fare Kiosk.
- On Regional Rail, purchase a Quick Trip from a Center City Fare Kiosk, or pay onboard if boarding at an outlying station.
SEPTA uses two devices to accept payments: standalone validators and turnstiles.
Buses use validators only. Metro uses turnstiles only. Trolleys and Regional Rail use a combination of validators and turnstiles, depending on the station.
- The bus – When you are boarding the bus, there will be a validator located right in front of the driver. Just tap your payment method on it, and your ride on that bus is paid for.
- The Trolleys [T] [D] [G] – If there are turnstiles at the station, tap your payment on the screen. After it is accepted, you will be able to move through the turnstile and access the trolley platform. Your ride is then paid for.
- Metro – If there are turnstiles at the station, tap your payment on the screen. After it is accepted, you will be able to move through the turnstile and access the platform. Your ride is then paid for.
- Regional Rail – Tap your payment on the turnstile screen and then access the platform. You must also tap your payment method at the turnstile or validator before exiting the station at the end of your ride. This closes your trip and ensures you aren’t charged more than you should be.
- If there are no turnstiles, then locate the validator on the platform. Tap your payment there to begin your trip. Once onboard the train, the conductor will walk through each car and collect fares from passengers individually. Simply present the same payment method you used on the platform validator. You must tap your payment method at the turnstile or validator before exiting the station at the end of your ride. This closes your trip and ensures you aren’t charged more than you should be.
Customer Service
For additional help and information, Customer Service is open Monday – Friday 7 am – 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am – 5 pm. Call 215-580-7800 for English, En espanol disponible and many other languages.