The IHSA is making a change to the state finals schedule for baseball and softball beginning next year.
The association announced Wednesday its board of directors approved switching to a single-weekend state final format for both sports starting in 2026. Previously, the 1A/2A and 3A/4A state finals were held on separate weekends.
In recent years, the IHSA has gone to single-weekend state final schedules for boys basketball, girls basketball, boys soccer, and girls soccer.
The schedule will call for the IHSA Softball State Finals in all four classes to be held in Week 48 of the IHSA calendar, which is when the IHSA Class 1A/2A Softball State Finals are currently held. The IHSA Baseball State Finals in all four classes will be held in Week 49 of the IHSA calendar, which is when the IHSA Class 3A/4A Baseball State Finals are currently held.
The IHSA currently has a baseball state final contract for the 1A/2A tourney weekend at Dozer Park in Peoria, and a state final contract for the 3A/4A tourney weekend at Slammers Stadium in Joliet. The 1A/2A contract in Peoria runs through the 2025 state finals, while the 3A/4A in Joliet contract runs through the 2026 state finals. The IHSA’s hosting contract for the softball state finals at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria runs through 2025.
The change was recommended by the baseball and softball advisory committees.