CLEVELAND — The Ohio High School Athletic Association and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced a new three-year contract Monday, keeping high school football state championships at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium through 2026. 

What You Need To Know

  • OHSAA said the agreement also includes two option years

  • The agreement comes as the current three-year contract is set to expire after the state finals this week

  • State finals have been held at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium since 2017, expect for 2020 because of the pandemic

OHSAA said the agreement also includes two option years.

The agreement comes as the current three-year contract is set to expire after the state finals this week. 

“We are excited to continue to grow this partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said. “They have been so good to work with and are just as excited as us to take the next steps with the finals in Canton and have people experience all that the Hall of Fame, the surrounding Hall of Fame Village, and Canton have to offer in addition to state championship football. We also thank Visit Canton for their support of the state championships and appreciate their support to host the games in Stark County.”

State finals have been held at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium since 2017, expect for 2020 because of the pandemic. During that year, finals were hosted in Obetz and Massillon. 

Prior to 2017, the finals have been hosted at Ohio Stadium during two separate periods of time, from 2014 to 2016 and previously throughout the 1980s. 

From 1990 to 2013, finals were moved to Massillon and Canton. 

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame is proud to partner with Visit Canton and the OHSAA to keep the seven state championship games in Canton for the next three years,” said Jim Porter, Hall of Fame president. “The Hall wants this relationship to continue long into the future. Our staff will look for additional ways to build the weekend into a full community celebration – making the experience even more special for the teams playing in Canton and creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

Spectrum News 1 will air the state championships Thursday through Saturday on channel 1 and the Spectrum News app.

Thursday, Nov. 30:

  • 7 p.m.
    • Division II – Hoban vs. Massillon

Friday, Dec. 1:

  • 10:30 a.m.
    • Division VI – Versailles vs. Kirtland
  • 3 p.m.
    • Division III – Watterson vs. Toledo Central Catholic
  • 7:30 p.m.
    • Division I – St. Edward vs. Springfield

Saturday, Dec. 2:

  • 10:30 a.m.
    • Division VII – Dalton vs. Marion Local
  • 3 p.m.
    • Division V – Liberty Center vs. Perry
  • 7:30 p.m.
    • Division IV – Alter vs. Glenville