ROCKFORD, IL — GoRockford and the Rockford Public Schools District 205 and Guilford High School are pleased to announce that Rockford has been selected to host the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Boys Soccer State Finals for the next three years. The prestigious championship event will welcome the state’s top 12 teams, their coaches, and their fans to Rockford each November for the next three years.

The championship tournament will be held at Swanson Stadium at Guilford High School (5620 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford) and will feature the top teams from across Illinois in three classifications, with four from each class (1A, 2A, and 3A) competing for state titles.

“Rockford Public Schools is excited about Guilford’s partnership with GoRockford to host IHSA’s Boys State Soccer Finals,” said Dawn Williamson, RPS 205 director of athletics, activities and program development. “I look forward to seeing elementary, middle, and high school students able to watch some great soccer with their families at one of our awesome high schools. A big thank you to the IHSA for this opportunity. Rockford is ready to exceed expectations!”

“We are thrilled to bring another IHSA championship event to Rockford," said Lindsay Arellano, GoRockford vice president of sales & service. "Hosting the IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals strengthens Rockford’s reputation as a premier sports tourism destination and reflects the continued confidence organizations have in our community’s ability to deliver an outstanding championship experience. We’re excited to welcome athletes and fans from across Illinois to experience Rockford’s hospitality and energy.”

“We are excited to partner with Guilford High School, Rockford Public Schools District 205, and GoRockford to bring the IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals to Rockford,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “This tournament has a storied history and we are excited for its next chapter in Rockford, which has a proven track record of putting on first-class IHSA State Final events.”

Impact: The three-year agreement is estimated to generate $297,000 in annual visitor spending and economic impact, totaling nearly $900,000 for the Rockford region over the term of the agreement. The selection further places Rockford in a select group of communities trusted to host IHSA championships.

Rockford also hosts the IHSA Girls Bowling State Finals, held each February, making the soccer finals the second IHSA state finals to call Rockford home. Rockford has long been a strong soccer community, with tournaments such as the Puri Cup, bringing thousands of players to the Rockford region each year. Together, these events highlight Rockford’s growing momentum as a trusted host for championship events and reinforce the region’s commitment to youth and amateur sports.

"We are thrilled to be chosen to host the IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals for the next three years,” said City of Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “This is an exciting moment for Rockford, as our city becomes the home for Illinois’ top student-athletes to compete on the state’s premier high school soccer stage. It’s a tremendous opportunity to highlight our commitment to youth sports and to share the pride, energy and vibrancy of Rockford with the entire state."                                        

GoRockford partnered with Rockford Public Schools and Guilford High School throughout the bid process, working together to bring the IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals to Rockford.

“Guilford is happy to partner with GoRockford on hosting the IHSA state series for boys’ soccer,” said Gus Carter, Guilford High School principal. “We are certain that we can provide a top-notch experience for the competing schools and are excited to bring this talent to Rockford for our community to enjoy.”

The IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals schedule will include 14 games played over three days each year:

  • Thursday: two games – Class 1A Semifinals
  • Friday: seven games – Class 1A Third Place Game, Class 2A Semifinals, and Class 3A Semifinals
  • Saturday: five games – Class 2A and 3A Third Place Games, plus the Class 1A, 2A, and 3A State Championship matches

The tournament dates for the three-year agreement are:

  • November 5-7, 2026
  • November 4-6, 2027
  • November 2-4, 2028

Last year's IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals were held at Hoffman Estates High School. Additional details about the event, ticket information, and schedules will be announced closer to each finals weekend.