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Duncanville Today
By the People, for the People
UIL Basketball Championships See Declining Attendance
The annual high school basketball tournament in Texas has seen a significant drop in attendance over the past decade.
Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:18pm
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Despite more state championship games being added, attendance at the UIL Basketball Championships in Texas has declined by over 40% since the tournament moved to the Alamodome in San Antonio in 2015. The success of Dallas-Fort Worth area teams, with 11 titles in the last two years, has contributed to the drop as fewer fans are making the 5-hour drive from the DFW region. The UIL is now considering options to rotate the tournament to different venues across the state to try and boost attendance.
Why it matters
The declining attendance at the UIL Basketball Championships raises questions about the long-term viability of holding the event at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The tournament is a major high school sports event in Texas, and the drop in fan engagement could impact the event's sponsorships, media coverage, and overall significance.
The details
In 2015, when the tournament first moved to the Alamodome, the girls' basketball finals in the three largest classes averaged 4,708 fans per game, while the boys' finals in those classes averaged over 10,000 fans per game. By 2019, the girls' numbers had only slightly improved to an average of 4,728 fans, while the boys' average was 10,985. However, in 2026, the total attendance for all 24 championship games was just 7,916 - a drop of over 40% from 2015 levels.
- The UIL Basketball Championships have been held at the Alamodome in San Antonio since 2015.
- In 2024, the state semifinals were moved to neutral site locations, reducing the number of games held at the Alamodome.
- This year, a total of 24 champions were crowned, nearly half of which went to teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
The players
Clarence Hill Jr.
A longtime sports writer who commented on the long drive for Dallas-Fort Worth fans to attend the tournament in San Antonio.
Jahmi'us Ramsey
A player in the 2019 UIL Basketball Championships who later went on to play in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.
Jordan Walsh
A player in the 2019 UIL Basketball Championships who later went on to play in the NBA for the Boston Celtics.
What they’re saying
“Damn I didn't know you did this”
— Clarence Hill Jr., Sports writer
What’s next
The UIL is considering options to rotate the basketball tournament to different venues across the state, such as rotating between San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Fort Worth, in an effort to boost attendance and engagement.
The takeaway
The declining attendance at the UIL Basketball Championships highlights the challenge of maintaining interest and fan engagement in high school sports events, even for a marquee tournament like this one in Texas. The UIL will need to explore creative solutions to revitalize the tournament and ensure its long-term viability.
