BY KSHSAA STAFF
TOPEKA — The tradition of qualifying for an 8-team state basketball tournament has been erased by the KSHSAA, which will switch to a 4-team state basketball championship format in 2026.
The 8-team state tournament will be replaced by a 4-team field, erasing decades of state basketball tradition.
Sites for the March 12-14 2026 state championships will be Dodge City United Wireless Arena (1A, Division 1); Emporia's White Auditorium (2A, 1A Division 2); Hutchinson's Sports Arena (3A, 4A) and Wichita's Koch Arena (5A, 6A).
It's the first time since 1953 that more than one championship will be played at the same site.
Sites for the 2027 championships will be held at Salina's Tony Pizza Events Center (1A, Division 1, Division 2); Manhattan's Bramlage Coliseum (2A, 4A); Hutchinson (3A) and Emporia (5A, 6A).
“The KSHSAA is an association of member schools, and school leaders have asked for class consolidation of championships.” said Bill Faflick, KSHSAA director.
Two years ago, the membership expressed desire through the October Regional Administrator Meetings to combine classes at the state basketball tournament.
Each class individually supported this concept. Working with the host sites to ensure top level tournament management, it was determined that the best course of action is the final four in each class advance to the site of the semifinals and finals with state quarterfinal games being played in proximity to the higher seed at neutral/college sites.
“This new format will achieve that result," Faflick said. "It will provide a greater focus on the student athletes competing at the highest level with four state title games being played consecutively on championship Saturday. This modification allows basketball to follow the recently implemented format for championship soccer and football. With more titles being determined at one location, the atmosphere in the championship arenas will be at an all-time high.”
"State" quarterfinal games will be played at seven venues in five cities based on proximity to the higher seed, not class.
March 10 and 11, 2026 quarterfinals are scheduled for Dodge City, Salina, Salina's Kansas Wesleyan, Wichita (Koch Arena) (Friends University) and Kansas City, KCK Fieldhouse.
The highest four seeds of the state tournament will be placed as close to home as possible in the 28 quarterfinal games.
If the distance from the lower seed is greater than 250 miles from where the game would be played near the higher seed, that game will be played at one of the quarterfinal sites centrally located. State brackets will not be reseeded after the state quarterfinals.
“With the top four seeds earning the right to play close to home, the quarterfinal rounds will provide a better environment and experience allowing more friends and family to attend the quarterfinals,” said Kyle Doperalski, KSHSAA basketball administrator. “This new format is a win for teams and school communities with an incredible atmosphere of four state championship games in the same venue on the same day. Fans and media along with non-advancing teams and coaches will have less decisions to make about what site to go to and watch the teams and players they want to see at the state tournament.”
In 2027, state quarterfinal dates are March 9-10 and semifinal/final dates are March 11-13.
