UIL Football State Championships See Major Attendance Surge, Broadcast Success

Texas high school football ended its season with a roar. The UIL state championship games happened from December 17 to 20. They were held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Total attendance jumped significantly this year.

The finals drew 191,185 fans over the 12 games. This marks a 19.8% increase from last year’s 159,560. The large crowd signals a strong rebound for the premier event.

Viewership Numbers Break Records in New Broadcast Deal

This year featured a new television partner. Victory+ streamed the playoff and championship games. The platform reported massive viewership numbers.

More than 2.1 million fans watched the championships across various devices. The most-watched game was the Class 6A Division I final. That game between Duncanville and Galena Park North Shore peaked at over 207,000 viewers.

The shift to a streaming app made games more accessible. Previously, broadcasts required a cable subscription on Fox Sports Southwest. The new deal appears to be a success for the UIL.

Historic Wins and Streaks Highlight Competitive Season

The playoffs saw remarkable achievements. Several teams ended long championship droughts. Others extended dominant winning streaks.

Wall High School won its first-ever state title in program history. The school started football in 1966. Yoakum’s first championship came after a program that began in 1910.

Winning streaks remain impressive. Gordon holds the state’s longest active streak at 44 games. Carthage will carry a 31-game streak into next season after winning its 11th title.

The 2024 UIL football state championships proved the event’s enduring power, combining record fan engagement with historic on-field stories that solidify Texas’s reputation for Friday night legends.

Info at your fingertips

What caused the big jump in attendance?

The final day’s tripleheader, featuring major Houston vs. Dallas matchups, drew a huge crowd. The Saturday session alone saw over 93,000 fans, boosting the overall total significantly.

How did the new TV deal perform?

Victory+ reported over 2.1 million total viewers for the championship week. This suggests the move to a dedicated streaming platform successfully expanded the event’s reach.

Were there any security issues at the games?

Yes. The Arlington Police confirmed multiple disturbances during Saturday’s games. This resulted in several ejections and 10 arrests related to fighting and other offenses.

Which teams are moving classifications next year?

Preliminary numbers show several teams will shift. Celina will move up to 5A due to growth. DeSoto could potentially opt down to 5A Division I, but that decision comes in February.

Who has the most UIL football state titles now?

Aledo still leads with 12 state championships. Carthage’s latest win brings them to 11 titles, now just one behind the state record.

Trusted Sources: Victory+ reports, Arlington Police Department statements, UIL official data.