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| The Ohio High School Athletic Association girls' basketball state tournament at the University of Dayton Arena in 2025, as Portsmouth takes the floor for warm-ups. (Photo: Gene Simmons/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced the schedule and host sites for the upcoming girls and boys basketball state tournaments in March.
The University of Dayton Arena will continue to serve as the epicenter of both state tournaments, while Wright State University will host some girls' and boys' state semifinal games, and Vandalia Butler High School will also host some girls' state semifinals.
The girls' state tournament will be a three-day event, while the boys' will span four days.
Last season, the OHSAA expanded the basketball postseason tournament from four divisions to seven, and the state semifinals were played at sites around Ohio. The winners advanced to UD Arena, which only hosted the seven state championship games. This season, all 21 state tournament games for both the girls' and boys' state tournaments will come to the Dayton area for their Final Four weekends.
“When we expanded to seven divisions, we looked at several models for how to conduct the state tournament,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “Last year, we used the football model that had the state semifinals on their own weekend around the state. We certainly had some great environments and less travel for the teams, but the feedback from the coaches was that they preferred larger venues and the opportunity to have a weekend at the state tournament, so we have worked hard to set that up with additional sites, just like we do in baseball and girls volleyball.”
The seating capacity for UD Arena is 13,400, while the Nutter Center at Wright State University is 10,000, and Vandalia Butler High School is 4,500.
“The Dayton area is such a great host for the basketball state tournaments,” said Ute. “UD Arena creates an amazing environment for the teams and fans. The Nutter Center at Wright State University has been a great host through the years for several of our sports, as has Butler High School, which has an outstanding gymnasium. We are thankful for their partnership and willingness to host these big games.”
2026 OHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament
Regional and State Tournament Draw
State Tournament Information and Coverage
State Tournament Schedule Grid
Division I
Semifinals on Thursday, March 12, at UD Arena beginning at 6 p.m.
Championship on Saturday, March 1,4 at UD Arena at 8:30 pm.
Division II
Semifinals on Friday, March 13, at either Wright State (beginning at 6 p.m.) or Vandalia Butler (beginning at 5 p.m.)
Championship game on Saturday, March 14, at UD Arena at 5:15 p.m.
Division III
Semifinals on Thursday, March 12, at Wright State, beginning at 11 a.m.
Championship game on Friday, March 13, at UD Arena at 3:45 p.m.
Division IV
Semifinals on Thursday, March 12, at UD Arena beginning at noon
Championship game on Friday, March 13, at UD Arena at 12:30 p.m.
Division V
Semifinals on Friday, March 13, at either Wright State (beginning at 5 p.m.) or Vandalia Butler (beginning at 6 p.m.)
Championship game on Saturday, March 14, at UD Arena at 2 p.m.
Division VI
Semifinals on Thursday, March 12, at Wright State, beginning at 5 p.m.
Championship game on Friday, March 13, at UD Arena at 7 p.m.
Division VII
Semifinals on Friday, March 13, at Wright State, beginning at 11 a.m.
Championship game on Saturday, March 14, at UD Arena at 10:45 a.m.
2026 OHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament
Regional and State Tournament Draw
State Tournament Information and Coverage
State Tournament Schedule Grid
Division I
Semifinals on Saturday, March 21, at Wright State, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Championship on Sunday, March 22, at UD Arena at 3:15 pm.
Division II
Semifinals on Saturday, March 21, at Wright State, beginning at 11 a.m.
Championship game on Sunday, March 22, at UD Arena at noon
Division III
Semifinals on Thursday, March 19, at UD Arena beginning at 6 p.m.
Championship game on Friday, March 20, at UD Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Division IV
Semifinals on Thursday, March 19, at Wright State, beginning at noon
Championship game on Friday, March 20, at UD Arena at 4:15 p.m.
Division V
Semifinals on Friday, March 20, at UD Arena beginning at 10:45 a.m.
Championship game on Saturday, March 21, at UD Arena at 1 p.m.
Division VI
Semifinals on Friday, March 20, at Wright State, beginning at 6 p.m.
Championship game on Saturday, March 21, at UD Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Division VII
Semifinals on Friday, March 20, at Wright State, beginning at noon
Championship game on Saturday, March 21, at UD Arena at 4:15 a.m.
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