2 hours ago, AppalachianTactician said:

What are some standard and record attendance levels at state games? I know UK most of the time feels empty, WKU seemed to have the perfect size, but I know scheduling issues, I was not fortunate enough to see any in Louisville. I wouldn't want things to be sold out, but I would like to know what size venue is necessary. 

Since the early 90s, there have been 4 games go over 20k.*

Since 2007, there have been 2 additional games go over 12k.*

It is also worth noting that the Trinity/St. X regular season game consistently goes over 12k. This season I believe the attendance was around 16k. 

The data would suggest that the move to Lexington did a number on state championship attendance. Also, in my opinion, Louisville has a much deeper football culture than Lexington. I believe a move back to Louisville would drastically increase attendance—so much so that if it were held in Lynn Stadium, a title game would sellout once every few years. 

 

*This data is all pre-pandemic. 

Here is a link to the attendance numbers:

https://khsaa.org/records/football/fbchampionshiplinescores.pdf
 

 

6 minutes ago, WishboneCity said:

Since the early 90s, there have been 4 games go over 20k.*

Since 2007, there have been 2 additional games go over 12k.*

It is also worth noting that the Trinity/St. X regular season game consistently goes over 12k. This season I believe the attendance was around 16k. 

The data would suggest that the move to Lexington did a number on state championship attendance. Also, in my opinion, Louisville has a much deeper football culture than Lexington. I believe a move back to Louisville would drastically increase attendance—so much so that if it were held in Lynn Stadium, a title game would sellout once every few years. 

 

*This data is all pre-pandemic. 

Here is a link to the attendance numbers:

https://khsaa.org/records/football/fbchampionshiplinescores.pdf
 

 

Whenever St. X and Trinity play in the playoffs, they have the game at the schools now because playoff games don't get as much attendance as regular season. Cost of using L&N Stadium is too expensive if don't meet a certain attendance number to break even.

5A continues to get treated like a second class citizen ? 

17 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

 

Money talks? I remember reading this a few weeks ago and that the UFL would pay for any damages done. Not sure where the UFL is getting their money though, that’s for a different discussion. I’ll eat my own words, I didn’t think this would ever be allowed even under the condition of financing the repairs to their pitch. What’ll be interesting is one of those classic KY weather sort of weeks in the spring where it rains nonstop and the Kings just go out there and tear the place up. Not sure the KHSAA has the finances to handle the possible damage that could be done nor do I believe they are looking for another location for the State Championships, they enjoy it in their backyard.

Playing the finals at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville would be AWESOME.

Zero doubt in my mind the games, ALL of them, would be the most electric feeling atmospheres to date if something were ever to be worked out (KHSAA agreed to, playing surface, etc).

Also, for the "Football in a Soccer Stadium???!!!!!" crowd?

Don't look now, buuuuuuuut-

....for the last 15 years or so? The FCS Division 1 Championship game that's held in Frisco, TX (Toyota Stadium)is the HOME  of the MLS FC Dallas.  This year and next? It's been moved to Nashville (Vandy's) while Toyota Stadium is undergoing major upgrades. All plans right now have it heading back for the January 2028 title game. 

**Let's put that in deeper context. THE FCS Division 1 Title....is played...in TEXAS....at a...MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER stadium**

The CIF (California's HS Athletic Association) hosted many of its state title games in the past at the MLS LA Galaxy stadium.   Schools like, ohhhh.... De La Salle, Matter Dei, St. John Bosco...just some of the nation's most elite high school programs over many decades. 

...no big deal, though.

22 hours ago, BillNye said:

5A continues to get treated like a second class citizen ? 

If any class has a gripe, it is Class A. They are the noon Friday game annually. What is wrong with 5A playing at 8PM on Saturday?

11 minutes ago, thsrocks said:

If any class has a gripe, it is Class A. They are the noon Friday game annually. What is wrong with 5A playing at 8PM on Saturday?

It's the graveyard shift.  And 6A coaches don't want it.  And have campaigned against it.

I would only ask for once every 3 years to switch with 6A.  Don't think that's too much to ask.

23 minutes ago, thsrocks said:

If any class has a gripe, it is Class A. They are the noon Friday game annually. What is wrong with 5A playing at 8PM on Saturday?

Who wants to play at 8PM on a Saturday year over year? Not getting home til 2 AM isn’t for everybody. Like @Purple88 said, it’s indeed the graveyard shift. 

2 hours ago, thsrocks said:

If any class has a gripe, it is Class A. They are the noon Friday game annually. What is wrong with 5A playing at 8PM on Saturday?

I don’t believe Class A would ever be upset getting a noon slot in late November/Early December, if you’re looking at it from a weather perspective. Also don’t have to make it a weekend thing either, can travel home that night and get in your own bed and avoid hotel expenses. When you look at 5A that’s totally opposite, crisp winter breeze, 2 am arrival home or a $100 hotel. Would make sense to shuffle the deck yearly.

On 10/29/2025 at 11:23 PM, Calico Jack said:

Playing the finals at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville would be AWESOME.

Zero doubt in my mind the games, ALL of them, would be the most electric feeling atmospheres to date if something were ever to be worked out (KHSAA agreed to, playing surface, etc).

Also, for the "Football in a Soccer Stadium???!!!!!" crowd?

Don't look now, buuuuuuuut-

....for the last 15 years or so? The FCS Division 1 Championship game that's held in Frisco, TX (Toyota Stadium)is the HOME  of the MLS FC Dallas.  This year and next? It's been moved to Nashville (Vandy's) while Toyota Stadium is undergoing major upgrades. All plans right now have it heading back for the January 2028 title game. 

**Let's put that in deeper context. THE FCS Division 1 Title....is played...in TEXAS....at a...MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER stadium**

The CIF (California's HS Athletic Association) hosted many of its state title games in the past at the MLS LA Galaxy stadium.   Schools like, ohhhh.... De La Salle, Matter Dei, St. John Bosco...just some of the nation's most elite high school programs over many decades. 

...no big deal, though.

It's been mentioned in the past that Lynn Family Stadium would never allow football to be played there, has that thinking changed?

2 hours ago, Jumper_Dad said:

It's been mentioned in the past that Lynn Family Stadium would never allow football to be played there, has that thinking changed?

I think it has JD.  With the unveiling of the new football team going to play home games there.  I have to admit, I was stunned by that announcement, but it has already left the barn.

So why couldn't you at least ask KHSAA to take a look at it for the State Championship games?

28 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

So why couldn't you at least ask KHSAA to take a look at it for the State Championship games?

My opinion: the KHSAA is a small staff of people. Hosting as many championships as possible in Lexington keeps them close to their offices and resources and they don't have to pay various travel expenses likes hotels, etc. Is that good? I don't know. Probably not for people outside the Lexington Metro area. But I understand why they do it.

23 hours ago, thsrocks said:

If any class has a gripe, it is Class A. They are the noon Friday game annually. What is wrong with 5A playing at 8PM on Saturday?

My guess here is that when the KHSAA made that move a few years back, it was because of the success Frederick Douglass was having in Class 5A. They assumed that much of the 5A finals crowd would be from Lexington and playing at 8pm wasn't a deterrent. Moving the 6A game - almost always two Louisville teams - to 4pm allowed for better travel and return times.

How many states hold their championship games at small stadiums?

Texas hold theirs at Jerry World which can hold 80-100,000 people. Smaller schools title games only bring 7000-9000 people. A drop in a bucket in a huge stadium. Lucas Oil a little closer to home host Indiana title games, has a capacity of 63,000...very similar to Commonwealth. They had a total of 40,000 +/- for six games. Total attendance for the three Saturday games last year was barely 15,000.

I say all of that to make the point that a packed house doesn't matter, or at least matters a lot less than nearly everyone on here thinks. The players, to a man, want the excitement of playing at the largest venue they can. They are most likely never running out on those fields or any fields after high school. Playing at Commonwealth, L&N, AT&T, Lucas Oil or any other major stadium is the thrill of a lifetime. 

Looking at surrounding states only Ohio holding games in Canton at Hall of Fame, use stadiums under 40,000 capacity. Average capacity looks to be around 60,000+ in most states.

I for the life of me, don't understand why people get so upset over the number of empty seats in large stadiums. I'd say you'll just as many empty seats at most state finals around the country. Pretty sure on the bus ride home the winning teams don't think, "Wow we are State Champs but it doesn't mean as much because the stands weren't full."

16 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Moving the 6A game - almost always two Louisville teams - to 4pm allowed for better travel and return times.

My mind is rested that 6A has a lazy-boy recliner trip to Lexington and back every year.  But this should be revisited.  The 8pm slot is a graveyard for teams outside of Lexington.

Not meant to be thrown at you personally GC, but don't feel that spot should be set in stone the way it seems to be now.