Stephen O’Connell Center reaches max capacity for National Championship Game, closes doors early

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gators men’s basketball team was just hours away from competing for a National Championship against the Houston Cougars in San Antonio, and the University of Florida is hoping to gather as many members of Gator Nation as possible to celebrate the occasion.

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Tip-off started just before 9 p.m., but the O’Connell Center opened its gates (Gate 1 and 3) at 7 p.m., free of charge, to fans who wanted to watch the action.

However, due to the arena reaching maximum capacity before tip-off, the venue closed its doors at 8 p.m.

The university also put together this time-lapse video showing the arena reaching full capacity.

Around 5 p.m., students and fans could be seen lining up outside the O’Connell Center with about three hours left before tip-off.

And the line outside of MacDinton’s Irish Pub in Gainesville looked even more packed.

The Gators’ journey to the National Championship has been quite the rollercoaster ride. While the team entered the tournament as a 1 seed, it has been battle-tested at every level, beginning with the Round of 32 matchup against two-time defending champion UConn.

The team then took on two extremely talented squads in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, beating Maryland and Texas Tech, respectively, before pulling out a six-point Final Four win over its SEC rival in Auburn.

Meanwhile, Houston hasn’t exactly taken the easiest route to compete for a title. After a tough Round of 32 matchup against Gonzaga, the team endured a tough fight with last year’s runner-up in Purdue before defeating SEC runner-up Tennessee by 19 points.

But a huge comeback win over Duke in the Final Four showcased to the world Houston’s toughness, tenacity, and grit, which should make for quite the National Championship Game.

Additionally, University of Florida police are reminding fans to prioritize their safety, releasing the following statement around 4:30 p.m.

As we prepare to celebrate this historic run of our Gators basketball team, I wanted to share that there will be a visible and increased presence of officers from the University of Florida Police Department, among other agencies, on campus and throughout the city.

This is among several measures that UFPD, along with its area partners, is taking to ensure celebrations are carried out safely.

Safety, however, starts with you. Before heading out tonight, I encourage you to download the GatorSafe app. It is full of safety resources, such as the Mobile Blue light feature and the ability to chat directly with a UFPD dispatcher.

Also, take the time to make a game plan tonight: Tell your friends where you plan to be and report back when you make it home. If possible, use the buddy system and always stay with a friend. It’s easy to get separated in big crowds. Share your location digitally with someone, if possible. Finally, make sure your cellphone has enough charge to make it through the night.

Tonight should be about having fun, making memories, and celebrating our Gators basketball team. Small steps, such as sharing your location and keeping those you love informed, will ensure that when you look back on today, the highlight will be about how this was one of the best nights of your life.

Brett Knowles, UF Chief of Police