The NCHSAA has finalized start times and locations for all 1A-8A state championship games, marking the first title weekend under North Carolina’s new eight-classification system. Championship weekend runs Dec. 11-13 across three venues, including Kenan Stadium (UNC), Durham County Stadium, and Moretz Stadium at Lenoir-Rhyne.
Two defending champions — Tarboro (1A) and Grimsley (7A) — return to the final, while several lower seeds, including Shelby (10-seed) and Kinston (14-seed), look to complete Cinderella runs.
Below are all eight championship matchups with dates, times, venues, and links to each classification’s bracket.
UPDATED 12/6/2025: 6A State Championship Matchup is now set after Watauga and Middle Creek won Saturday evening regional finals.
2025 NCHSAA Football State Championship Schedule
8A Football State Championship
Thursday, Dec. 11 — 8 p.m. (Kenan Stadium, UNC)
(1) Hough vs. (2) Millbrook
➡️ Bracket: 8A Championship Bracket
7A Football State Championship
Friday, Dec. 12 — 8 p.m. (Kenan Stadium, UNC)
(1) Grimsley vs. (2) Clayton
➡️ Bracket: 7A Championship Bracket
6A Football State Championship
Friday, Dec. 12 — 4 p.m. (Kenan Stadium, UNC)
(1) Watauga vs. (3) Middle Creek
➡️ Bracket: 6A Championship Bracket
5A Football State Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 — 8 p.m. (Durham County Stadium)
(4) Crest vs. (1) Hunt
➡️ Bracket: 5A Championship Bracket
4A Football State Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 — 11 a.m. (Moretz Stadium, Lenoir-Rhyne)
(1) Brevard vs. (1) Reidsville
➡️ Bracket: 4A Championship Bracket
3A Football State Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 — 2 p.m. (Durham County Stadium)
(10) Shelby vs. (14) Kinston
➡️ Bracket: 3A Championship Bracket
2A Football State Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 — 5 p.m. (Moretz Stadium, Lenoir-Rhyne)
(1) Murphy vs. (1) Tarboro
➡️ Bracket: 2A Championship Bracket
1A Football State Championship
Thursday, Dec. 11 — 4 p.m. (Kenan Stadium, UNC)
(1) Robbinsville vs. (4) Wilson Prep
➡️ Bracket: 1A Championship Bracket
Context: First Year of 1A-8A
This is the NCHSAA’s first season using the 1A-8A classification model. For decades, the association operated under the traditional 1A-4A system, though it temporarily awarded eight champions during the 2001-2020 era using the 1A/1AA format.
Returning champions:
- 1A: Tarboro
- 2A: Monroe
- 3A: West Charlotte
- 4A: Grimsley
Two schools — Tarboro and Grimsley — enter championship weekend with a chance to defend their crowns under the new alignment.
