Starkville tabbed as host site for 2025 MHSAA football championships

For the first time in nine years, Starkville has been tabbed as the host city for the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s state championship football games.

MHSAA officials announced Wednesday that title matchups from all seven of the state’s classifications will be held in Davis Wade Stadium, the home of Mississippi State’s football team, from Dec. 4-6. The most recent championships were held at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg last year, and at Ole Miss in Oxford two seasons ago.

“First, we express our appreciation to Mississippi State University and Starkville for continued support and for graciously opening their doors to welcome us,” MHSAA Executive Director Ricky Neaves stated. “We have zero doubt that the experience for our schools, student-athletes, coaches, and fans will be second-to-none.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐕𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐒!

For the first time in nearly a decade, the @BCBSMississippi Gridiron Classic (Mississippi High School Activities Association Football State Championships) will be held in Starkville at… pic.twitter.com/Qqo3IVvTjK

— MISSHSAA (@misshsaa) June 11, 2025

“We’re honored to serve as the host for the 2025 MHSAA football state championships at Davis Wade Stadium and to bring teams, families, and fans from across Mississippi to ‘The Best Small Town in the South,’” MSU Athletics Director Zac Selmon stated.

“These championships showcase the tradition, talent, and passion that define high school football in our state, while giving student-athletes the chance to compete on one of the premier campuses in the country,” he continued. “We’re excited to create a first-class experience these student-athletes will always remember.”

The full schedule for the MHSAA’s 2025 high school football championships is as follows:

The upcoming high school football season will kick off with various jamborees in late August. Last year’s state champions were Baldwyn (1A), Heidelberg (2A), Choctaw County (3A), Poplarville (4A), West Point (5A), Grenada (6A), and Tupelo (7A).