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USA Today
09-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Masters tickets? Getting into Augusta National will cost you (and it's not allowed)
Masters tickets? Getting into Augusta National will cost you (and it's not allowed) There are just hours until the start of one of the most popular sporting events on the planet begins as the first shots will be fired at the 2025 Masters. Playing in the Masters is one of the biggest honors in golf, but simply being able to attend it as a spectator is an ultimate bucket list item for sports fans. Can you still get in? Technically, secondary tickets are not allowed. The tournament only sells tickets through its lottery system. Applications closed months ago, and tickets have already been awarded. With the action starting soon, here's what to know about trying to get to the 2025 Masters: Can you still buy 2025 Masters tickets? Through the Masters, no. Augusta National is the only authorized source for Masters tickets and says the resale of any ticket is strictly prohibited. If someone acquires tickets from another source, it could result in exclusion from the tournament. If you're willing to risk it on the secondary market, be prepared to spend thousands of dollars. For example, according to Gametime, an app/site for last-minute tickets, a four-day pass to the event is $26,212 (including taxes and fees). How to get Masters tickets Aside from risking it on the secondary market, the best and cheapest way to get Masters tickets is through its lottery system. The process is done on the Masters website. Interested people fill out an application and are able to request what tickets they want for a certain period of time. After the application window closes, Augusta National does a lottery to award tickets, and applicants are notified if they are selected or not. How hard is it to get tickets to the Masters? Odds It's unknown how many applications are done for Masters tickets each year, but estimates the odds of getting Masters single-day tickets to be about 0.55 percent. It came to its conclusion using how many tickets are distributed each year and roughly how many people applied using Masters viewership numbers. How much does it cost to go to the Masters? Tickets offered for the Masters include the practice round, single round or all-weekend tickets. The prices for the 2025 Masters were: Practice rounds (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday): $100 First round (Thursday): $140 Second round (Friday): $140 Third round (Saturday): $140 Final round (Sunday): $140 Four-day tournament badge (Thursday-Sunday): $450 How to enter Masters lottery The process is simple. When the applications open, users either create an account or update their existing account information on the Masters tickets website. People can select what tickets they are interested in. Once submitted, applicants wait until the Masters notifies people of who was awarded tickets. Masters lottery 2026 Applications for the 2026 Masters will open on June 1 and will be available to apply through June 20. Jordan Mendoza of USA TODAY contributed to this report.
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness: Predicting NCAA Tournament Finals results between Florida and Houston
March Madness: Predicting NCAA Tournament Finals results between Florida and Houston Monday night features the 2025 NCAA Tournament Finals matchup between the Florida Gators and Houston Cougars — a pair of top-seeded schools that have fought tooth and nail to reach the men's basketball championship game. Both teams are riding double-digit win streaks along with conference tournament crowns entering this epic March Madness matchup while approaching the game from seemingly opposite directions. Florida is a famously offensive-minded team, while Houston's laurels rest on its punishing defense; however, both programs are also top-10 teams in the opposite categories, making this an evenly-matched event. With mere hours remaining before the opening tipoff, USA TODAY Sports' staff offered their predictions for the national championship game, with the majority leaning toward the Cougars. Here is a look at their respective takes. READ MORE: Gators Wire's expert predictions for Florida vs Houston in NCAA Finals Jordan Mendoza: Houston 72, Florida 69 "After each team pulled off second-half comebacks in the Final Four, which one has enough left to win the national title? Houston proved it could slow down a premier offense like Duke, but no one has had an answer for Walter Clayton Jr. this tournament," Mendozza notes. "Given the 'never quit' mentality each team possesses, expect this one to go down to the final minutes. The Cougars hit their 3-pointers and are able to limit the Florida star, and they fend off a late rally by the Gators to win their first national championship." Paul Myerberg: Houston 71, Florida 63 "Houston carries over the ferocious rally in the final minutes against Duke and slows down Florida's perimeter shooting to win the first national title in program history. In addition to its No. 1 defense, the Cougars have another edge in the turnover battle," Myerberg begins. "They rank third in Division in turnover margin while Florida ranks 118th. Houston also leads the nation in 3-point shooting percentage, potentially negating the Gators' typical production from deep." Erick Smith: Florida 66, Houston 65 "We use cliches in sports like the irresistible force facing the immovable object way too often. This matchup, however, does present a simple premise: Which team will be able to dictate how the game is played? Florida wants to go fast to take advantage of its open-court game and also diminish the half-court defense of Houston," Smith said. "The Cougars, meanwhile, want to slow the game down and make it a grinder. It's hard to see either dominating, and that forecasts a close game down the wire. The Gators have the best clutch player on the court in Walter Clayton Jr. And he does it again for the SEC's first title since 2012." Eddie Timanus: Florida 68, Houston 65 "Picking against Houston at this point seems like a bad idea given the way it has shown the ability to find ways to win in the most difficult of circumstances. Of course the same can be said of the Gators, who have also staged an improbable comeback or two this postseason," Timanus explains. "So one more time, I'll stick with my choice from the beginning." Blake Toppmeyer: Houston 75, Florida 71 "I picked Houston to beat Florida in the national championship before the tournament tipped, so I wouldn't dare fade that pick now. Houston's experienced lineup, elite defense and clutch shot-making ability uphold the Cougars as a strong pick. Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. has been the nation's best player for the past several weeks. Stellar though he is, Houston counters with a variety of proven weapons," Toppenmeyer points out. "This game should be a great show. Get the popcorn ready." Dan Wolken: Houston 61, Florida 57 "Both teams have pulled out improbable victories in the NCAA tournament to get to this point, so both may feel that a championship is their destiny. But the Cougars' relentlessness and ability to take away what an opponent does best is the intangible that just wears people out," Wolken offers. "Houston may not have the most talent, but they've got plenty to hang in a close game, which is the area where they thrive. Betting against Kelvin Sampson with a 40-hour turnaround seems like a bad idea." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida vs Houston prediction, picks, odds for 2025 men's NCAA championship game
Florida vs Houston prediction, picks, odds for 2025 men's NCAA championship game Show Caption Hide Caption Florida players discuss their emotions after win over Auburn in Final Four The Florida Gators are advancing to the national championship after beating Auburn in the Final Four and they describe their emotions to us. Sports Seriously The national championship game in the men's NCAA Tournament is set. Will it be Houston or Florida cutting down the nets? It was a spectacular night on Saturday in San Antonio. Neither Final Four matchup disappointed as Florida used a strong second half to take down top overall seed Auburn, while Houston pulled off an incredible late comeback to stun Duke in dramatic fashion. After 68 teams started the NCAA Tournament three weeks ago, we are now down to two with the Gators and Cougars playing for the national championship Monday. Both teams have proved they are the best teams in college basketball, but only one will have it's one shining moment. Florida vs. Houston national championship odds According to betMGM, as of Sunday morning. Moneyline: Florida (-1.5) Florida (-1.5) Spread: Florida (-120); Houston (+100) Florida (-120); Houston (+100) Over/under: 141.5 Florida vs. Houston national championship picks, predictions Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: Houston beats Florida Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic: Houston beats Florida Watch Florida vs. Houston in title game on Fubo How to watch Florida vs. Houston national championship game
USA Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida vs Auburn predictions, picks, odds for men's March Madness Final Four
At least one SEC team is going to the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament national championship, but the question is whether it will be Florida or Auburn. The Gators are coming off a come-from-behind 84-79 victory over Texas Tech in the Elite Eight last Saturday, while the Tigers defeated Michigan State 70-64 on Sunday. Florida earned a 90-81 win over Auburn on the road during the regular season on Feb. 8. The Gators built up a 21-point lead in the win. Florida enters on a 10-game winning streak, including winning the SEC tournament championship, while the Tigers have won four in a row after ending the regular season with three losses in four games. Here's how experts see the Final Four battle between Florida and Auburn playing out, along with odds and how to watch: Florida vs Auburn picks and predictions USA TODAY picks Jordan Mendoza: Did Auburn learn from the first meeting? Both teams have been vulnerable during the tournament, and Johni Broom's health looms large. The Tigers lead at halftime, but another clutch performance by Walter Clayton Jr. gets Florida in the title game. Florida 85, Auburn 80. Paul Myerberg: Auburn's experience and maturity has been a huge advantage in this tournament. A veteran lineup has helped the Tigers survive stiff tests from Creighton, Michigan and Michigan State. Florida is a different animal than what Auburn has faced so far. The Gators' depth and 3-point shooting are two huge assets as Auburn looks to bully Florida closer to the basket. This one is more likely to be a shootout, based on the Gators' 90-81 win during the regular season. Florida 88, Auburn 84. Erick Smith: This sets up as a big vs. little matchup with Auburn relying on Johni Broome on the inside and Florida looking to Walter Clayton Jr. on the perimeter. Yes, the Gators won the regular-season meeting, but this game is a completely different circumstance. Which team can handle the pressure of the big moment? The Tigers might have the edge in maturity. Auburn 73, Florida 70. Eddie Timanus: The Gators were my pick to win the whole thing at the start of the tournament, so I'm not going to go back on that now even though they've been pushed to the brink a couple of times. It might be cliché to say a team peaked too soon, but Auburn might have done just that. Florida 78, Auburn 72. Blake Toppmeyer: Walter Clayton Jr. is becoming the story of this tournament. He's clutch, and the Gators are without weakness. Guards win in March Madness. Auburn's guards are good. Florida's are better. Florida 82, Auburn 70. Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun: Florida 88, Auburn 83 "It's hard to beat a high-caliber program twice, but Florida will find a way. Clayton will make more big shots and UF's four-player post rotation will play physical enough inside to neutralize Broome. Florida will advance to the national title game for the first time since 2007." Adam Cole, Montgomery Advertisor: Florida 92, Auburn 88 (OT) "It's hard to beat any good team twice. That certainly goes in Auburn's favor, and its ability to do a week-long scout on the Gators holds the same sentiment. But Florida has looked unstoppable since it beat Auburn, and while the Tigers could certainly have it figured out, the edge, however slight, goes to the Gators." Florida vs Auburn date, start time, where to watch Game Day: Saturday, April 5 Saturday, April 5 Game Time: 6:09 p.m. ET 6:09 p.m. ET Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas) Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas) TV Channel: CBS CBS Live Stream: Fubo (free trial) Florida vs Auburn odds Odds as of Saturday, April 5 via BetMGM. Spread: Florida (-2.5) Florida (-2.5) Over/under: 159.5 159.5 Moneyline: Florida (-150) | Auburn (+125)
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
South Carolina vs. Texas women's basketball prediction, picks, odds for Final Four
South Carolina vs. Texas women's basketball prediction, picks, odds for Final Four It's South Carolina vs. Texas in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Final 4. See our expert picks and predictions for the women's March Madness bracket, along with betting odds and game time. Show Caption Hide Caption UCLA vs UConn, South Carolina vs Texas sets stage for Final Four USA Today's Meghan Hall previews the women's Final Four teams that will be heading down to Tampa to compete for national championship. Sports Seriously The 2025 women's NCAA Tournament is coming down to the wire, folks. Among the Friday Final Four matchups will be a bout between South Carolina and Texas. The No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight to advance in the women's March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the 1-seed Texas Longhorns, most recently prevailed over rival TCU. Here's how our experts see the Final Four clash playing out. Be sure to check out USA TODAY's complete March Madness bracket breakdown for in-depth analysis. Without further ado, here are our South Carolina vs. Texas picks and predictions. South Carolina vs. Texas picks and predictions Our experts from across the USA TODAY Network are unanimous (4-0) on who will win the Final Four game between the Gamecocks and Longhorns. Take a look at their full bracket predictions. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: South Carolina Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: South Carolina Meg L. Hall, For The Win: South Carolina Cora Hall, Knoxville News: South Carolina South Carolina vs. Texas time, TV channel, how to watch Game Day: Friday, April 4, 2025 Friday, April 4, 2025 Game Time: 7 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida TV Channel: ESPN ESPN Live Stream: Fubo - Watch Now! Watch South Carolina vs. Texas on Fubo (free trial) South Carolina vs. Texas odds Odds via BetMGM as of Tuesday, April 1.
