Live in Philadelphia: Notre Dame players, fans arrive in Philly for NCAA tourney

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. -

Fans are starting to arrive in Philly ahead of Friday's Sweet 16 game between Notre Dame and Wisconsin. The team is expected to arrive Wednesday night and the Notre Dame Club of Philadelphia is ready for them.

“There are about 3,000 alumni, friends and family in the Philadelphia area. We have about 500 dues paying members. And probably 200 who show up to at least one event a year," said Steve Meehan, the President of the Notre Dame Club of Philadelphia.

Members of the club are expected to give Irish a warm welcome.

"The team is arriving from the airport, we’ll hopefully get a good delegation there to cheer them and give them a good welcome and make them feel at home when they get here," said Meehan.

There will also be a pre-game party at the arena for Notre Dame fans. He says all Irish fans are welcome.

“We're going to do a great pre-game party at Victory Beer Hall at XFinity. 4:30 to 7:30. The club and the alumni association are providing appetizers. Everybody is welcome - all Irish fans. We're excited about that and hope for a really good crowd," said Meehan.

Friday's first game will be Notre Dame and Wisconsin at 7:27 p.m., followed by North Carolina and Indiana.

The winners play on Sunday.