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.”
The announcement also reinforces Wichita’s longstanding partnership with KSHSAA and Wichita’s status as SportsTravel magazine’s Best Sports-Host City in the country. Wichita already hosts all classifications of KSHSAA state track & field and state soccer championships and has recently hosted or currently hosts state wrestling, baseball, softball and cross-country championships.
The distribution of classifications among the Wichita-area sites, ticket information and schedules will be released closer to the event. The opening round of the 2028 state tournament will follow the same sites established for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Winners of the state quarterfinal round will advance to the Wichita-area semifinal and final sites.
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a premier convention, sports and tourism destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Wichita was named the Best Sports-Event Host City by SportsTravel magazine, a national recognition that highlights the city’s proven success in hosting high-caliber sporting events with world-class venues, seamless operations and strong community support. Visit Wichita is led by President and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2025 travel and tourism contributed more than $2.6 billion in total economic impact to the greater Wichita area. For more information, go to www.VisitWichita.com.
