MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — After hosting the first-ever football championship weekend at Cumberland Valley High School, PIAA says the event was a huge success.
In six championship games, the PIAA sold 15,729 tickets to the Cumberland Valley Football State Championship. According to PIAA, attendance at the game increased, with paid attendance roughly the same as his 2021.
The difference in ticket sales income to PIAA is due to profit sharing between the hosting site and PIAA. For the past several years, Hersheypark Stadium has received a portion of ticket revenue as a site hosting fee. Due to an agreement between the school district and his PIAA, Cumberland Valley did not receive his 2022 ticket income.
For 24 years, PIAA hosted the state football championship at Hersheypark Stadium, but chose to move the event to Cumberland Valley High School from 2022-2025. The move shocked some of the football community, as events at Hershey have been going on for a long time.
PIAA said the decision to move to Cumberland Valley was due to upgraded facilities, the overall cost of hosting the event, and location.
When the decision was made, Cumberland Valley Athletic Director Mike Craig said:
The Eagles won the bid to host the PIAA State Championship with upgraded facilities including an indoor turf field and the installation of turf at Chapman Field. Cumberland Valley said the team is eager for the opportunity to host more state championships after hosting state championships in wrestling, swim and dive and volleyball.
Dr. Bob Lombardi, Executive Director of PIAA said: “The expectations of schools that are members of our association are very important.”
The PIAA pays the Cumberland Valley $2,600 to host an annual soccer championship.
Full interview with Dr. Lombardi
PIAA also revealed record field hockey state championship attendance. In his three games at the Cumberland Valley campus, the PIAA sold over 2,000 tickets for him.
The state championships in boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball, field hockey and football will be held in the Cumberland Valley through 2025. A bidding process to host the games is held every four years.