GoRockford and Rockford Public Schools District 205 are pleased to welcome the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Boys Soccer State Finals to Rockford for the first time, Thursday – Saturday, November 5-7, 2026.

The tournament will take place at Swanson Stadium at Guilford High School (5620 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford) and feature four teams from each classification (1A, 2A and 3A) competing for state titles.

The three-day tournament will bring Illinois' top 12 high school boys soccer teams to the city to compete for state championships. Attendance is expected to include 3,500 players, coaches, and fans and generate 500 room night stays at local hotels. The IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals are expected to generate an estimated $340,000 in economic impact, supporting local hotels, restaurants, attractions and businesses throughout the community.

"Sports tourism is an important part of Rockford's economy, and GoRockford is proud to continue recruiting championship events like the IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals to Rockford," said Lindsay Arellano, GoRockford vice president of sales and service. "Rockford has a strong soccer community and reputation, and we're excited to welcome these talented student-athletes and their families while showcasing everything our region has to offer."

GoRockford partnered with Rockford Public Schools District 205 and Guilford High School throughout the competitive bidding process to secure the championship tournament. “We could not do this without Grant Mason, Guilford’s athletic director, and his team. His efforts as tournament director have been instrumental in planning for a successful first-time tournament,” said Arellano. Previously held at Hoffman Estates High School from 2014 through 2025, the event makes its Rockford debut this weekend, with GoRockford serving as the event sponsor. The tournament will return in 2027 and 2028.
“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.

“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!”

The tournament joins the IHSA Girls Bowling State Finals as the second IHSA state championship event hosted in Rockford, highlighting the region's continued success in attracting high-profile athletic competitions. The addition of the IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals further strengthens Rockford's reputation as a destination for competitive soccer and major sporting events.

Tournament Schedule

The IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals will take place over three days, with the following competition schedule:

  • Thursday, November 5: Class 1A semifinal matches starting at 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, November 6: Class 1A third-place match and Class 2A and 3A semifinal matches. Games start at 9:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. 
  • Saturday, November 7: Class 2A and 3A third-place matches, followed by the state championship matches for Classes 1A, 2A and 3A. Games begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. 

Local Student-Athletes to Escort Championship Teams

Adding a special local touch to the IHSA Boys Soccer State Finals, young soccer players from three Rockford elementary schools will have the exciting opportunity to escort the championship teams onto the field before each title match on Saturday. Students from Barbour Language Academy will participate in the Class 1A championship at 2:30 p.m., Whitehead Elementary School students will escort the Class 2A finalists at 4:45 p.m., and Swan Hillman Elementary School students will take the field with the Class 3A finalists at 7 p.m. This special experience will give young Rockford athletes a chance to be part of a statewide championship event, connect with high school players competing at the highest level, and imagine themselves playing on that same field someday.
Tickets and Event Information

All matches will take place at Swanson Stadium at Guilford High School. Tickets must be purchased digitally through GoFan, the official digital ticketing partner of the IHSA. Ticket prices range from $9 -$15 depending on the matches. Additional tournament information, schedules and a list of participating teams are available through the Illinois High School Association at www.ihsa.org.

Teams Competing

Class 1A

  • Althoff Catholic, Bellville
  • Cristo Rey St. Martin, Waukegan
  • Coal City, Coal City
  • Alleman, Rock Island

Class 2A

  • Peoria Notre Dame, Peoria
  • Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn
  • Washington, Washington
  • Crystal Lake South, Crystal Lake

Class 3A

  • Evanston Township, Evanson
  • East Aurora, Aurora
  • Glenbrook South, Glenview
  • Lockport Township, Lockport