Visit Wichita and the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) announced today that semifinal and final sites for the 2028 KSHSAA State Basketball Championships have been selected, with all championship sites located within the Wichita regional footprint – marking the first time since 1945 that all state championship games have been this close in proximity.
Koch Arena at Wichita State University, Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City and the Garvey Center at Friends University will host semifinal and final games across six classifications for boys and girls in Wichita. Hutchinson Sports Arena at Hutchinson Community College will serve as the semifinal and final site for Class 2A boys and girls tournaments as part of the regional championship footprint.
“State championship tournaments feature Kansas student-athletes on the biggest stage for the most important games of their season,” said KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick. “With all games in the greater Wichita area, fans will be able to support the best of the best in the pursuit of the ultimate prize in high school sports while witnessing the thrill of victory across multiple championship tournaments.”
The format is the result of KSHSAA member schools requesting championship tournaments combine into fewer sites, creating a more connected and accessible championship experience for teams and fans across the state.
“We’re incredibly proud and excited to welcome all classifications of the KSHSAA Boys & Girls Basketball State Championships to the Wichita region in 2028,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “Wichita has hosted KSHSAA championships for many years, and bringing every classification together across the region at the same time is a tremendous opportunity for our community and for basketball fans across Kansas.”
The 2028 format will give fans the opportunity to experience multiple classifications and sessions of the state tournament without extensive travel between championship venues while bringing athletes, families and communities from across Kansas together in one region.
“One of the most exciting parts of this championship format is that fans will have the opportunity to watch many of the best high school basketball teams in Kansas compete in one region at the same time,” Howell said. “It creates an incredible experience for local fans and visiting families, while also giving student-athletes the opportunity to experience and support championship competition happening across multiple classifications throughout the week.”
