March has never been sweeter in the city of Arlington. For the first time in the 75-year history of the NCAA tournament, Arlington will host the NCAA Men's Basketball-South Regional Championships and four members of the Sweet 16. Top-seeded Kansas plays Michigan in Friday's early game, with Florida and Florida Gulf Coast playing the late game.

Hours before 40,000 fans fill the seats at Cowboys Stadium for the game, Kansas Jayhawk fans and alumni will "land' at the Arlington Convention Center for a Sweet 16 Pregame Party. The pregame party will start at 2:30 p.m., with the pep rally slated for 4:30 p.m.

Organizers expect more than 5,000 people to enjoy this pregame celebration, which will feature performances by the KU pep band, spirit squad and mascot.

"We're very fortunate that Kansas chose us for their event,' said Mark Wisness, Convention Center Director. "Kansas alumni contacted us several weeks ago and said "If everything goes right and the team makes it to Arlington, we want to host a party.' It's really nice when we can piggyback off of events happening in the Entertainment District. This is why we're here.'

The Arlington Convention Center will be the headquarters for KU fans. This free event is open to public. Concessions, cash bars and parking ($20 per car) are available on site.

If you don't have tickets to the game, head to the official watch site in Arlington, Humperdink's, to watch the game with fellow Jayhawks.

Another pregame celebration is scheduled for Sunday if Kansas wins Friday night.