Georgia’s high school basketball state championships will leave Macon for Atlanta in 2027. The Georgia High School Association confirmed the full 16-game boys and girls slate across every classification moves to Georgia State University’s Convocation Center for the next two seasons while Macon builds a replacement arena.
The change is temporary. GHSA officials say they will reevaluate after 2028 once the new Macon facility opens.
The Two-Season Landing at Georgia State
The titles tip off in March 2027 at the downtown Atlanta multipurpose building that has already hosted GHSA basketball semifinals for four seasons. Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott framed the choice around facility quality and existing partnership.
We always look for the best facilities available for our student-athletes. With Macon currently undergoing construction for its new facility, we felt this was the right time to make the move. We chose Georgia State because we’ve had tremendous success working with them over the past several years as the host of our basketball semifinal games. We know they will provide a first-class championship experience.
Scott said that in a GHSA announced the two-season shift statement. He also thanked Macon for years of support and left the door open for a later return. Schedules, tickets and logistics will come later from the association. The deal covers the AAASP wheelchair championships as well.
Parking Lots Gave Way to a $350 Million Build
Construction on the new Macon Arena began with a groundbreaking on July 29, 2026. The project sits mainly on the existing surface parking near the current Coliseum. That lot normally serves championship crowds. Officials said the build will fill the usual parking while the old building stays open for other events through a phased approach.
The $350 million venue is designed by PBK Architects with Barton Malow+Sheridan Construction. It targets a late 2028 opening. Macon-Bibb leaders project more than 400 annual events once complete and call it a premier destination for sports, concerts and community use. Exterior lines echo the Ocmulgee River; the roof shape nods to a guitar pick and vinyl record, tying into local music heritage. A dedicated Macon Sports Hall of Fame space sits inside.
- June 24, 2026: Design renderings and fly-through revealed at the Douglass Theatre.
- July 29, 2026: Official groundbreaking outside the Coliseum.
- Late 2028: Targeted opening of the new arena.
Mayor Lester Miller said the project will bring real money and jobs and is built to pay for itself.
Who Gains the Crowds and Who Loses the Weekends
Atlanta and Georgia State pick up four days of statewide attention, hotel nights and restaurant traffic that once flowed to Middle Georgia. Metro-area schools already close to downtown gain shorter bus rides and easier parent travel. GSU strengthens its role as a high school sports host after years of successful semifinals.
- Macon hotels, restaurants and local vendors lose the concentrated championship weekend spending that past estimates put near $300,000 per day.
- Schools from South Georgia and other distant regions face longer hauls into Atlanta traffic and higher lodging costs for two cycles.
- Fans who preferred the central location of Macon now navigate downtown Atlanta parking and transit for finals week.
- The new arena project itself gains a clearer timeline and public focus as the reason for the temporary exile.
Scott noted recent crowds have hit 10,000 for some games, forcing a search for venues that can handle the volume. The move hands that volume to Atlanta while Macon absorbs the short-term hit to keep construction on schedule.
Macon Held the Titles Nearly Every Year Since 1969
The Coliseum, opened in 1968, became the near-permanent home for GHSA basketball finals. It hosted every year but one since 1969. A one-year absence ended with a return in 2018 after SPLOST-funded upgrades that included a new floor, standards and lights. Spectra Venue Management and local leaders worked to keep the event after that hiatus.
For decades the building’s central location, within an hour of two-thirds of Georgia’s population, made it convenient. It also hosted hockey, arena football, wrestling and major concerts. The championships became part of Macon-Bibb identity. Past renovations bought more years. The current full rebuild ends the run for at least two seasons.
Some coaches and observers had called for a move to modern Atlanta venues years earlier, citing facility age and amenities. Construction simply accelerated a change a portion of the high school community already wanted.
Venue Numbers Side by Side
The temporary home and the outgoing one differ in size, age and parking. Crowds have sometimes exceeded listed basketball capacity through standing room and creative setups.
| Venue | Basketball Capacity | Parking | Opened | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon Coliseum / Centreplex | 9,000 | 2,300 paved spaces | 1968 | Macon |
| Georgia State Convocation Center | 7,500 (up to 8,000 overall) | On-site guest parking | 2022 | Downtown Atlanta |
| New Macon Arena (projected) | 9,743 championship / up to 11,798 with flex hall | 300 VIP + 500 structured decks | Late 2028 | Same Macon site |
The Macon Coliseum’s 9,000 capacity and 2,300 parking spaces supported the traditional central draw. The Georgia State Convocation Center opened in 2022 with modern video boards, flexible meeting space and downtown access. Scott said the working relationship and ability to handle large crowds made it the practical choice.
What the New Arena Brings Back to the Table
Officials released detailed capacity scenarios for the replacement building. Championship basketball is listed at 9,743 in the bowl and 11,798 when the 30,000-square-foot flex hall is added. Concerts can reach 12,298. Premium suites, clubs, loge boxes and a signature spectator bridge are part of the design. Sightline studies aimed for no bad seats. Outdoor plazas support festivals and watch parties.
Key new-arena figures
- $350 million total project cost
- 230,000+ square feet main building plus flex hall
- Late 2028 target opening
- 400+ projected annual events
The new Macon Arena designs and capacities show a venue built for higher volumes and more premium experiences than the 1968 building. GHSA will reassess after the two Atlanta seasons. If the new house delivers on parking, sightlines and fan amenities, the titles could return to a stronger Macon base. If Atlanta’s convenience and facilities win lasting favor, the temporary shift could stretch.
For now the 2027 and 2028 championships belong to downtown Atlanta. Macon keeps its construction timeline and the longer bet on a modern arena that can host the next generation of title games and far more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long had the GHSA basketball championships been in Macon?
The Coliseum hosted the finals nearly every year since 1969, with only a single one-year absence before the 2018 return after renovations. That made it the event’s home for the better part of six decades until the 2027 move.
What is the basketball capacity of the Georgia State Convocation Center?
Official figures list basketball capacity at 7,500 with overall event capacity up to 8,000. It opened in fall 2022 and already stages GHSA semifinals plus Georgia State men’s and women’s games.
When is the new Macon Arena scheduled to open and what will it cost?
Ground broke July 29, 2026, on the $350 million project. Opening is targeted for late 2028. Championship basketball capacity is projected at 9,743 in the main bowl and higher with the attached flex hall.
Why did parking force the GHSA championships out of Macon?
The new arena is being built primarily on the existing surface parking lots that normally serve Coliseum events. Construction fills those spaces, so the GHSA sought a venue that could handle recent crowds of around 10,000 without the usual Macon lot.
Is the move to Atlanta permanent?
No. The GHSA described it as a two-season arrangement for 2027 and 2028. Officials said they will reevaluate future plans after seeing progress on the new Macon facility.
