IHSA 1A/2A Baseball State Finals moved to Champaign through 2030

(WAND) -- High school baseball teams will now have to go through Champaign in their chase for a state championship.

Tuesday the IHSA announced the 1A/2A baseball state finals will remain in Champaign and be played at Illinois Field through 2030.

Illinois Field offered to host the 2025 IHSA Class 1A/2A Baseball State Finals following a scheduling conflict a year ago, and is now slated to host the event again in 2026 and beyond.

Illinois Field is the home of the Fighting Illini, which seats over 5,000, added a new video scoreboard in 2015 and a FieldTurf surface in 2020.

“We are proud to host the IHSA Class 1A/2A Boys Baseball State Tournament at Illinois Field through 2030,” said Jayne DeLuce, President & CEO of Experience Champaign-Urbana. “After welcoming the tournament in 2025, it was clear that this championship belongs here at the University of Illinois. With 31 Big Ten titles, Illinois Field is home to a remarkable legacy of Fighting Illini baseball. Now, high school athletes will have the opportunity to compete on that same iconic field—creating unforgettable moments of their own. We look forward to welcoming the teams, their families, and fans, and delivering a brilliant experience both on and off the field.”