Football State Championship Information
The 2023 Colorado high school football state championship games for 3A, 4A and 5A will be played on Saturday, Dec. 2. The 3A Championship Game will be at CSU Pueblo’s ThunderBowl at 1 p.m., while the 4A and 5A games will be at CSU’s Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
The 6-man and 8-man championship games were decided on Friday, Nov. 24, while the 1A and 2A games were played on Saturday, Nov. 25.
If I can’t make it in person, can I watch the game(s) live?
Yes. Altitude Sports will broadcast the 4A and 5A championship games. Coverage will begin at 11 a.m. for the 4A game and continue at 3 p.m. for the 5A game. Find how to watch in your region.
You can also watch the broadcasts live on the NFHS Network:
Are tickets required for entry?
Yes. To avoid long lines at the box office, and to ensure swift entry into the stadiums, it is encouraged that tickets be purchased in advance.
How do I get to Canvas Stadium for the 4A and 5A Championships?
These directions apply to guests using I-25 to reach Fort Collins, such as those traveling from the Denver area or Cheyenne, Wyoming.
These directions apply to guests using U.S. 287, College Avenue to reach Fort Collins, such as those traveling from Loveland or Wyoming.
Fans are encouraged to use Google Maps as a resource to provide the most specific and efficient directions to campus and Canvas Stadium
Where do I park at Canvas Stadium for the 4A and 5A Championships?
Parking passes for the 6-man, 8-man, 1A and 2A championships can be purchased here. Parking information for the 4A and 5A championships can be found on the diagram below.
How will I enter Canvas Stadium for the 4A and 5A Championships?
You will enter the stadium through the metal detectors at entrances marked in the diagram below.
Do I have to go through the metal detectors?
Yes. Metal detectors will be in effect at all Canvas Stadium entrances. Colorado State University requires that all guests and employees entering venues to pass through a metal detector. Alternative accommodations for screening will be pro- vided to those who need it. Guests who refuse screening will be denied entry. The metal detectors at Canvas Stadium will be used by venue staff to detect security threats and prevent banned items from entering the facility.
What can I bring into Canvas Stadium for the 4A and 5A Championships?
To provide a safe environment for the public and significantly expedite fan entry into all of our athletics’ venues, Colorado State Athletics implemented a clear-bag policy that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into sporting events.
Colorado State Athletics strongly encourages fans to not bring any type of bag to CSU sporting events. To expedite entry, there will be express lanes designated for fans without bags.
The following style and size bag, package, or container will be allowed in the gates at Colorado State Athletics events:
What bags can be brought into the CSU-Pueblo ThunderBowl?
No bags or backpacks are allowed at the ThunderBowl. In accordance with national safety standards, fans are only permitted to bring infant feeding supplies/diaper bags, or medical supplies into the stadium. The ThunderBowl bag policy is pictured below.
What time will the venues open?
The venues will open to the public one hour before the start of the game.
Where do media members enter?
At Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, credentialed media will check in through the employee entrance on the west side of the stadium. There will be a sign outside to direct media to the correct door.
Media may enter the main gates at the ThunderBowl in Pueblo.
How do teams qualify for the state championships?
The top 16 teams (24 in 4A and 5A) in the classification based on the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index will qualify for the postseason bracket. Each conference champion will automatically be placed on the playoff bracket. Conference champions are determined by the conference Bylaws or policies. If a conference champion is not ranked in the top 16 (24) based on the final CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index, they will replace the lowest-ranked team that is not a conference champion in the top 16 (24).
What is the format of the competition?
All classes will compete in a single-elimination tournament. For 4A and 5A, it will be a 24-team tournament. For all other classes, it will be a 16-team tournament.
Where can I find past champions or team winners?
The digital program includes information on past champions, winners and more! Past champions can also be found in the championship archive.
Will there be a trophy presentation?
Yes. A trophy will be presented to the state championship team and to the runner-up team.
Will there be merchandise available to purchase on-site?
Souvenir items (t-shirts, sweatshirts, pins, shorts, etc.) will be available for purchase on-site through the Kukulski Brothers. For pre-sale items, call (602-386-3460) or email the Kukulski Brothers.
