TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State High School Activities Association has unveiled a new format and finalized sites for the 2026 and 2027 state basketball tournaments, bringing sweeping changes aimed at consolidating classes and enhancing the championship experience.
Beginning in 2026, multiple classes will share championship venues, a first since 1953. KSHSAA officials say the updated format reflects input from school administrators who favored grouping classes for semifinal and final rounds to create a more unified and high-energy environment.
In 2026, the semifinal and final sites are as follows:
- 1A Division I: United Wireless Arena, Dodge City
- 2A and 1A Division II: White Auditorium, Emporia
- 3A and 4A: Hutchinson Sports Arena, Hutchinson
- 5A and 6A: Koch Arena, Wichita
In 2027, the tournament realigns again:
- 1A Divisions I and II: Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Salina
- 2A and 4A: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan
- 3A: Hutchinson Sports Arena, Hutchinson
- 5A and 6A: White Auditorium, Emporia
“The KSHSAA is an association of member schools, and the school leaders have asked for class consolidation of championships,” said KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick. “This new format will achieve that result and provide a greater focus on the student-athletes competing at the highest level.”
All state tournaments will begin with quarterfinal games played March 10-11, 2026, and March 9-10, 2027. The semifinals and finals will follow March 12-14, 2026, and March 11-13, 2027.
Quarterfinals will be held at seven venues across five cities:
- United Wireless Arena, Dodge City
- Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Salina
- Mabee Arena at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina
- Koch Arena, Wichita
- Garvey Center at Friends University, Wichita
- White Auditorium, Emporia
- KCKCC Fieldhouse, Kansas City
Quarterfinal matchups will be determined by the proximity to the higher seed, not by classification. Games involving schools more than 250 miles apart may be moved to centrally located venues. State brackets will remain unchanged after the 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,” said KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director Kyle Doperalski. “This new format is a win for teams and school communities.”
The new approach mirrors recent changes in championship soccer and football formats, which consolidate title games to increase visibility and fan engagement. KSHSAA says combining semifinal and final rounds for multiple classes will reduce travel burdens and make it easier for fans, coaches, and media to follow the action.
The changes come in response to a 2022 survey of member schools, in which each class expressed support for consolidating sites at the state tournament level.