JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The high school basketball state championships are headed to Jacksonville.
The Florida High School Athletic Association and the Jacksonville Sports Foundation announced that the state tournament is headed to the University of North Florida beginning next year. It’s a three-year deal between the city and the FHSAA.
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The Rural championships will be held Feb. 24-27 followed by the Class 1A-7A championships March 5-14.
It represents a return to Jacksonville for one of the FHSAA’s largest events. The boys basketball championships were held at the old Jacksonville Coliseum from 1969 to 1976. But since then, the championships had found a home in Lakeland. From 1977 until 2025 (with the exception of a five-year move to Tallahassee) the basketball championships had been held in Lakeland.
“We’re thrilled to begin this new chapter for our basketball state championships at the University of North Florida,” FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said in a statement. “The UNF Arena is a first-class facility, and Jacksonville offers an exciting opportunity to expand the reach and impact of this event.”
Jacksonville has hosted several FHSAA championship events in recent years, including volleyball (2017), flag football (2021-23) and track and field (2012-15, 2018-25).
“Hosting the FHSAA Basketball State Championships on CSI Companies Court at UNF Arena is a tremendous honor and a reflection of our commitment to amplifying the University of North Florida’s visibility across the state, while driving a significant economic impact for the City of Jacksonville,” UNF athletic director Nick Morrow said in a statement. “This event not only showcases our university, but strengthens our connection with the community.”