News Summary
Jacksonville will welcome the Florida High School Basketball State Championships for the first time in nearly 50 years, as announced by the FHSAA. The event will be held at the University of North Florida Arena and is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the area. The championships will feature matches for various classifications over multiple dates, marking a major shift from previous locations. This decision follows past tensions between the FHSAA and Lakeland officials, making it a noteworthy development for high school sports in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is set to host the Florida High School Basketball State Championships for the first time in nearly 50 years, following the announcement made by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) on September 17. This significant event will take place at the University of North Florida Arena, known as CSI Companies Court, starting in the 2025-2026 season. The championships will kick off with matches scheduled from February 24-27, 2026, for rural classifications, and will continue between March 5-14 for classifications 1A through 7A.
This decision marks a notable shift as it will be the first time in over 30 years that the championships will not be held in Lakeland, where they have been hosted since 1996 for boys and since 1994 for girls. Jacksonville has not been a host city for the state championships since the mid-1970s. The University of North Florida Arena boasts a seating capacity of over 5,100 and features modern facilities, standing in contrast to the Jenkins Arena at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
The excitement surrounding this event has been echoed by FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon, who highlighted Jacksonville’s capacity to facilitate major sports events. Additionally, Mayor Donna Deegan has noted the potential economic benefits that hosting these championships could bring to Jacksonville.
Background Context
The decision to relocate the championships comes amid previous tensions between the FHSAA and officials in Lakeland. Legislative challenges led by state Senator Kelli Stargel in 2014 contributed to a strained relationship, making the FHSAA feel unwelcome in the city. This backdrop has ultimately influenced the association’s decision to move the prestigious event to Jacksonville.
The basketball championships are likely to attract significant turnout from the community, with the FHSAA urging local fans to support their teams. Notably, Gibbs High School, representing the Tampa Bay area, won the Class 4A boys state championship in 2024 and was the runner-up in 2025, providing additional interest in the forthcoming tournaments.
Upcoming Related Events
In addition to the high school basketball championships, Jacksonville will also host the Jacksonville Classic, a college basketball tournament, from November 23-25, 2025. This event will feature teams from eight different conferences, making the 2025 Jacksonville Classic one of the largest college basketball gatherings on the East Coast, showcasing ten competing teams.
With the announcement now official, anticipation is building for the return of the Florida High School Basketball State Championships to Jacksonville, a move that could revitalize interest and excitement in high school sports in the area.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Florida: A Hub of Population Growth and Opportunity
Spring Sports Programming Highlights
South Florida Wildlife Center Faces Relocation Challenge
Riverview School Unveils New High School Football Schedule
Boogie Fland Commits to Florida Gators Boosting NIL Impact
Fort Lauderdale Takes Action as Rip Current Incidents Surge
Barcelona Set to Host 2025 Golf Invitational and 2031 Ryder Cup
Tampa’s Tragic Basketball Game Shooting: An 18-Year-Old Arrested
UNF Men’s Golf Team Clinches First Team Title at World Golf Village
University of South Florida Bulls Face Tough Match Against Memphis
Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record
- WYDaily Sports
- TBN Weekly
- Action News Jax
- Main Street Daily News
- Wikipedia: Basketball
- Google Search: Florida High School Basketball State Championships
- Google Scholar: Florida High School Athletic Association
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- Google News: Jacksonville basketball tournaments
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
