GHSA moves basketball state championships from Macon to Atlanta for two seasons
The association will use Georgia State’s Convocation Center and says it will reevaluate Macon after the two-season move.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Georgia High School Association is moving its basketball state championships from Macon to Atlanta for the next two seasons while Macon builds a new arena.
GHSA announced Monday that the championship games will be played at the Georgia State Convocation Center. Schedules, ticket information and other event details will be announced later.
“We always look for the best facilities available for our student-athletes,” GHSA Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott said. “With Macon currently undergoing construction for its new facility, we felt this was the right time to make the move.”
Scott said GHSA selected Georgia State after using the university as the host of basketball semifinal games in recent years.
Macon-Bibb County broke ground July 29 on a new $350 million arena that will replace the Macon Coliseum. The new facility is expected to open in late 2028 and hold more than 10,000 people.
Macon-Bibb previously said construction would be phased so the existing Coliseum could continue operating while the new arena is built. GHSA did not explain how construction would affect the state championship games at the existing facility.
“We are grateful for our time in Macon and appreciate the community’s support of the GHSA Basketball State Championships over the years,” Scott said. “We look forward to the progress in Macon and reevaluating our future championship plans after the next two years.”
This isn’t the first time this decade the championships have temporarily left Macon.
GHSA moved the 2017 state basketball championship games to the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech amid concerns about needed repairs and upgrades at the Macon Centreplex.
The championships returned to Macon in 2018 after improvements that included a new basketball floor, new basketball standards and new lights.