Ohio state football playoffs to be played at Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium through 2023

By Mitch Spinell

CANTON, Ohio - The Ohio high school football state championship games will be returning to Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium through 2023, according to an announcement from the OHSAA and the Hall of Fame Wednesday.

The seven Ohio high school divisions will play their championship matches in Canton over the next three seasons after the 2020 season's finals were played between Fortress Obetz near Columbus and Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said on Wednesday: "The OHSAA is excited for this three-year agreement with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as our student-athletes, schools, and communities will get to experience Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and all that Canton and the Hall of Fame Village have to offer. We are grateful to the Hall of Fame for their partnership, and we look forward to collaborating with the Hall year-round."

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium formerly shared the state games with Tiger Stadium from 1998 to 2013 (when Benson was formerly known as Fawcett Stadium). After the former stadium's demolition and renovation, Benson took full hosting duties for games from 2017 to 2019.

Ute also explained that the state games would consist of one Thursday night game, three games on Friday, and three games on Saturday.