Overview

• Mayor Donna Deegan announced the deal with the FHSAA and the Jacksonville Sports Foundation during a news conference at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
• The championships will be staged at the University of North Florida, with the Rural Division set for Feb. 24–27, 2026, and classes 1A–7A scheduled for March 5–14.
• UNF Arena will host 48 games across the two-week slate, according to details released with the announcement.
• Jacksonville last hosted the state tournament in 1976, while Lakeland had been the site for the past 30 seasons.
• Local organizers say landing the tournament is part of a broader strategy to attract larger competitions in the years ahead.