The Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Football Championship games are returning to The Rock on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi on December 5-7. Following the success of the 2022 championship games, which drew over 40,000 fans and generated an estimated $4.5 million in revenue, expectations are high for an even larger turnout this year.
“We appreciate the time and conversations with all the potential host sites through this process,” said MHSAA Executive Director Ricky Graves in a statement following the announcement. “We have no doubt that Southern Miss and the city of Hattiesburg will once again do a tremendous job hosting and creating exciting, memorable experiences for our schools, students, coaches, families, and communities.”
This marks the third time in six years that M.M. Roberts Stadium will host the event, having previously stepped in for back-to-back championships in 2021 when Jackson State, the original host, was unable to accommodate the games due to earning the right to host the SWAC Championship after an impressive 11-2 season. If Southern Miss finds itself in a similar position this year with a potential to host the Sun Belt Championship, contingency plans are in place. Jackson State, Ole Miss, or Mississippi State could serve as alternate hosts should the need arise.
Local tourism officials are excited about the benefits of Southern Miss hosting the championship games.
“We are full of anticipation at Hattiesburg’s selection as host for this year’s football championships, which is an opportunity to welcome visitors from across the state while driving substantial economic growth,” said Marlo Dorsey, CEO and Executive Director of Visit Hattiesburg. “This achievement underscores the strength of our community’s collaborative efforts and growing reputation as a sports destination. We extend our gratitude to MHSAA for their ongoing partnership and belief in Hattiesburg’s ability to execute an exceptional event.”
The Championships will kick off on Thursday, December 5th, starting with the Class 3A Championship at 4:00 PM, followed by the Class 7A game at 7:30 PM. On Friday, December 6th, Class 1A plays at 4:00 PM, with Class 5A following at 7:30 PM. The final day of games is Saturday, December 7th, beginning with Class 2A at noon, Class 4A at 3:30 PM, and concluding with the Class 6A Championship at 7:00 PM.
Details regarding parking, tickets, and tailgating will be released soon.
