Daytona Beach and Tallahassee are the new homes for the Florida high school football state championships from 2019 through 2021. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced the move from Orlando to Daytona Stadium and Gene Cox Stadium on Friday.
“After listening to feedback from our membership, we felt having two locations stretched out over two weeks made the most sense,” said FHSAA Executive Director George Tomyn in a prepared news release. “This new schedule gives families and fans the most flexibility when it comes to supporting their student-athletes and we are thrilled both Visit Tallahassee and DME Marketing made this possible.”
2019 FHSAA Football State Championships Tentative Schedule
Gene Cox Stadium (Tallahassee)
Thursday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.
*Dates for each classification to TBD
Daytona Stadium (Daytona Beach)
Wednesday, Dec, 11, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec, 12, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec 13, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 14, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
*Dates for each classification to TBD
According to our friends at FloridaHSFootall.com, the state championship games have spent the last 13 years at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Daytona Stadium, which has a capacity of 15,000, has hosted the championships six times previously (1989-90 and 1993-96), while Gene Cox Stadium, which has a capacity 6,500, played host to the 1986 Class 3A State Championship game between Tallahassee Godby and Clewiston.
The last time multiple venues hosted the event was in 2005, when Dolphin Stadium in Miami featured the 3A-6A games and FIU Community Stadium in Miami held the 1A-2A state title games.
Both venues recently underwent significant renovations. Daytona’s $20 million renovation included new field turf, remodeled locker rooms, an open-air VIP club, VIP space with theater seating and a completely redesigned expansive concourse area. Gene Cox Stadium underwent an $800,000 renovation featuring installations of completely new field turf and a pair of HD video boards.
