The 2026 MIAA high school football state championship games will have a different feel this year.
In a message sent to media members Monday morning, the MIAA announced that this year’s Super Bowls would not be held at Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots, marking the end of a tradition that has continued since 2007.
“The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association was informed late last week that the utilization of Gillette Stadium for the MIAA football championships is no longer an option,” the MIAA said in a statement. “We thank the Patriots organization hosting this event for nearly two decades.
“Whereas the 2026 MIAA Football Tournament begins this week, we will work diligently to secure host sites that provide the best possible championship experience for our student-athletes and our school communities.”
The MIAA football state championships could be slated for the weekend of Dec. 5. The Patriots notably host the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 6. In previous years, the championship games have been played on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or Thursday, Friday and Saturday to avoid conflict with the Patriots in getting the stadium ready.
A Gillette Stadium spokesperson released an official statement that the decision was made due to circumstances involving events set to take place at the venue this year, including potential playoff home games for the New England Revolution.
“For nearly two decades, Gillette Stadium and the Kraft family have been proud to donate the use of Gillette Stadium and host the MIAA football state championship games during the first week of December,” the statement read. “Due to scheduling constraints and the associated logistics from the Revolution’s playoff schedule and the Patriots home game on Dec. 6, Gillette Stadium will unfortunately be unable to host the state championship games this year. We wish all the schools, student-athletes and their families the best of luck with this year’s games and look forward to hosting this event again in the future.”
It’s unclear where the state title games for all eight football divisions will be held now that Gillette Stadium is no longer an option.
Mansfield head coach Mike Redding, who’s team is the top seed in the Div. 3 state tournament, said that his team will be prepared to play wherever but that losing out on the venue is disappointing and he hopes some other top venues become available.
“I’d play in my backyard if it was the state title, but I do think it’s a special experience for the players to enjoy the home of the Patriots,” Redding said. “Hoping some colleges step up and help us out.”
Gillette Stadium was one of multiple professional venues that host MIAA events. The hockey state championships are hosted at TD Garden, the home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics, while the baseball state championships are hosted at Polar Park, the home of the Worcester Red Sox. Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, hosts multiple Thanksgiving football games every year.
Numerous college sites have hosted state championships in recent years, including UMass Lowell (basketball), Worcester State (field hockey, lacrosse, softball), UMass (softball), Babson College (lacrosse). Prior to 2007, the football championships were held at some college venues, including Nickerson Field at Boston University.
