Huge crowds expected for Bradley game versus Drake Sunday at Carver Arena

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Tickets are going fast for this Sunday’s basketball game between Bradley and Drake at Carver Arena.

The Peoria Civic Center says they expect record-breaking crowds for the game.

As of Thursday, 7,500 tickets were sold. The capacity at Carver Arena is a little over 10,000.

“Tickets are moving briskly,” said Bobby Parker, senior athletic director at Bradley. “We are going to have the biggest crowd since Michigan was here in 2013, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get tickets. We are happy to accommodate here at the Renaissance Coliseum box office. We want to see as many people as possible.”

Parker says this would be the first Missouri Valley Conference championship for the Braves since 1996.

Both he and the Civic Center encourage fans to arrive early, at least one hour before the 3 p.m. tip-off.

The arena doors open at 1:30 p.m. Parking in the Civic Center lots will be extremely competitive, according to a Civic Center release.

The Toyota Box Office will open Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. for purchasing tickets.

The Civic Center advises those to review the safety and security policies for attending events - the clear bags, no re-entry, cashless concessions and parking.

Clear Bag Policy: Each guest will be allowed to carry in one (1) clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag that does not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” or one (1), one-gallon clear plastic bag. In addition to a clear plastic bag each guest will be allowed to carry in one (1) small clutch that does not exceed 5” x 8”. Diaper bags (with a child age 3 and under) and bags carrying medically necessary items will be allowed after a visual inspection inside the bag is completed by security.

Many items continue to be prohibited from the Peoria Civic Center and will not be allowed through security. These items include: large bags or luggage, weapons, banners or signs larger than 24’’ x 24’’, illegal substances, outside food and beverage, pets or animals (with the exception of service animals), beach balls, laser pointers/pens, video or audio recorders, cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks, unauthorized noisemakers, stadium seats, fireworks, frisbees, helium balloons, flasks and mace.

More information on the policies can be found here.

A city parking map can also be found here.

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