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.
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)
West Champion: Northern Guilford/Watauga (playing Saturday night)
East Champion: Middle Creek/Jacksonville (playing Saturday night)
➡️ 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.
(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.
