You've probably heard the roar of the Kohl Center or felt the electric tension in the Resch Center air. High school basketball in Wisconsin isn't just a game; it's a rite of passage. If you're looking for the wiaa basketball state tournament 2025 schedule, you're likely planning a pilgrimage to Madison or Green Bay. But honestly, every year, fans show up at the wrong time or get confused by the staggered divisional splits.
It’s easy to mess up. You think you're going for the D1 finals, but you actually bought tickets for the D5 semis. Or you assume the boys and girls play on the same weekend. They don't.
Let’s get the basics straight before we dive into the weeds. The girls kick things off first at the Resch Center in Green Bay, followed by the boys a week later at the Kohl Center in Madison. That’s the rhythm. That’s how it works.
The Girls' Road to Green Bay: Resch Center Dates
The 2025 girls' state tournament runs from Thursday, March 13, through Saturday, March 15.
Resch Center is a fantastic venue, but it gets tight. If you’re following a Division 3 or 4 team, you’re looking at a Thursday start. Division 5, 2, and 1 usually take over on Friday.
Thursday, March 13: The Early Birds
The tournament opens with Division 3 and Division 4.
- Division 3 Semifinals: Usually starts around 1:35 p.m. In 2025, we've got #1 Elk Mound facing #4 Xavier. The second game, #2 Oostburg vs. #3 Laconia, follows roughly 15 minutes after the first ends.
- Division 4 Semifinals: The night session. Kickoff at 6:35 p.m. with #1 The Prairie School vs. #4 Cuba City. Then #2 St. Mary Catholic vs. #3 Durand-Arkansaw.
Friday, March 14: The Big Push
Friday is a marathon.
- Division 5 Semifinals: Morning ball. 9:05 a.m. start. You'll see #1 Assumption vs. #4 Owen-Withee, followed by #2 Lourdes Academy vs. #3 Barneveld.
- Division 2 Semifinals: Afternoon session, 1:35 p.m. #1 Edgewood vs. #4 Rice Lake.
- Division 1 Semifinals: The heavy hitters. 6:35 p.m. #1 Kimberly vs. #4 Appleton East, then #2 Arrowhead vs. #3 Muskego.
Saturday, March 15: Championship Saturday
This is where legends are made. The 3-Point Challenge starts at 9:30 a.m. to warm up the crowd. Then, the title games roll out one after another starting with Division 5 at 11:05 a.m. The Division 1 finale is the nightcap, usually tipping off after 8:00 p.m.
The Boys' Madison Takeover: Kohl Center Details
One week later, the circus moves to Madison. The wiaa basketball state tournament 2025 schedule for the boys runs from Thursday, March 20, to Saturday, March 22.
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The Kohl Center is massive. It feels different than Green Bay. There's more room to breathe, but the stakes feel just as suffocating for the kids on the court.
Thursday, March 20: The Tip-Off
- Division 3 Semifinals: 1:35 p.m. #1 Freedom vs. #4 Elk Mound.
- Division 4 Semifinals: 6:35 p.m. #1 Bonduel vs. #4 The Prairie School.
Friday, March 21: The Grind
- Division 5 Semifinals: 9:05 a.m. #1 Cochrane-Fountain City vs. #4 Turtle Lake.
- Division 2 Semifinals: 1:35 p.m. #1 Racine Park vs. #4 Cedarburg.
- Division 1 Semifinals: 6:35 p.m. #1 Wisconsin Lutheran vs. #4 Oshkosh North.
Saturday, March 22: The Finale
Much like the girls' side, Saturday is all about the gold balls. The 3-Point Challenge is at 9:30 a.m., with the D5 championship at 11:05 a.m. The rest follow in order (D4, D3, D2, D1).
Why the Seeding Matters (And How It’s Changed)
People still complain about the seeding. Honestly, I get it. For a long time, it was just "sectional winners play wherever the bracket says." Now, the WIAA uses a computer-generated seeding formula for the four teams that make it to State.
Basically, once the sectional finals are over on Saturday night, the coaches and the WIAA math wizards get to work. By Sunday morning, the 1 through 4 seeds are set. This is supposed to prevent the "real" state championship from happening in a Thursday afternoon semifinal. Does it work? Sorta. It definitely makes the matchups more competitive on paper, but high school kids aren't robots. Upsets happen.
Getting Your Tickets Without Getting Scammed
The WIAA has gone almost entirely paperless. If you’re looking for a physical ticket booth to buy a paper stub with cash, you might be out of luck at many entrance gates.
They use GoFan. It’s a digital ticketing platform. You buy them on your phone, and they scan the QR code at the door.
- Price: Generally around $13.50 per session.
- Warning: Don't buy from random "secondary market" sites that charge $80 for a $13 ticket. Check the official WIAA ticket page first.
If you can't make it to the Kohl or Resch, the games are usually televised on the State Television Network (WKOW in Madison, WCWF in Green Bay, etc.). You can also stream them, but that often requires a subscription to WIAA.TV or similar services.
The Strategy for Fans: Where to Stay and What to Eat
If you haven't booked a hotel in Madison or Green Bay yet for the wiaa basketball state tournament 2025 schedule, you're kinda behind the 8-ball. Prices triple during these weekends.
In Madison, the State Street area is the place to be, but it's loud. If you want quiet, look toward Middleton or the east side near Monona. In Green Bay, the hotels right across from the Resch (like the Jet Wing or the Tundra Lodge) are prime real estate.
Pro Tip for Madison: Park at a ramp further away and walk. The traffic near the Kohl Center is a nightmare between sessions when one crowd is leaving and the next is trying to get in.
Misconceptions About the Divisions
A common mistake is thinking Division 1 is "better" than Division 5.
Sure, the D1 schools like Arrowhead or Wisconsin Lutheran have thousands of students and deep benches. But D5 basketball in Wisconsin is a different beast. Small towns like Barneveld or Assumption live and breathe this. The intensity in a D5 championship game often rivals anything you'll see in the big school bracket.
Also, remember that schools can "play up." If a school is naturally a D3 size but wants to compete in D2, they can apply for that. You’ll occasionally see a powerhouse small school taking on the giants.
Actionable Steps for the 2025 Tournament
- Bookmark the official brackets: Don't rely on third-party sites that might not update seeds correctly. Use the WIAA’s "Halftime" app or website.
- Download the GoFan App now: Don't wait until you're standing in a cold line outside the Resch Center trying to find a signal to download an app and enter your credit card info.
- Check the "Note" on game times: The WIAA schedule says "approx. 15 minutes following the previous game." This is huge. If a 1:35 p.m. game goes into double overtime, the 3:30 p.m. game isn't starting until 4:15 p.m. Plan your meals accordingly.
- Review the Carry-in Policy: Both the Kohl Center and Resch Center have strict "clear bag" or "no bag" policies. Don't be the person walking back to the parking ramp because your purse is three inches too wide.
The wiaa basketball state tournament 2025 schedule is the peak of the Wisconsin sports calendar. Whether you're there for the Culver's at halftime or the high-level hoops, being prepared is the only way to actually enjoy it.