The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association boys and girls state hockey tournaments will have a new home for the next three seasons.
In a press release May 26, the WIAA announced a three-year agreement with the recently built LEGACY20 Arena at DeForest Yards to be the new home of the state tournament, effective in 2027.
“Moving state hockey to the brand new LEGACY20 at DeForest Yards Arena marks an exhilarating new chapter for WIAA state hockey, bringing a world-class facility to our teams and fans,” WIAA executive director Stephanie Hauser said in the release. “We are thrilled that the incredible team that we’ve worked with the past four years from Bob Suter’s LEGACY20 Arena is managing this new venue, ensuring the exceptional dedication and support foundational to the success of this championship event.”
Built in 2025, LEGACY20 Arena is a 3,000-spectator capacity facility equipped with two 200-foot by 85-foot ice surfaces. The main indoor surface will be used for state tournament games, but the facility also has a covered outdoor ice surface for use during the winter months. Other amenities of the facility include a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, new scoreboard, high-definition videoboard, media and broadcast areas, 12 locker rooms and four concession stands, according to the release.
President and CEO of LEGACY20 Andrew Joudrey said in the release the new venue will provide for memorable moments in the years ahead for the state tournament.
“We are thrilled to host the WIAA boys and girls state hockey tournaments, and we believe LEGACY20 Arena at DeForest Yards will provide a great atmosphere for the players and coaches,” Joudrey said. “With a capacity of 3,000, blended between bucket seating, viewing decks and suites, the venue will offer a first-class hospitality experience for the fans.”
Boys and girls hockey teams and their fans will have the first opportunity to experience the facility hosting state tournament action at the 2027 boys and girls state hockey tournaments March 4-6, 2027.
The move represents the third primary venue that has hosted the state boys and girls hockey tournaments. Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison hosted boys hockey from 1971 until 2022. The only exceptions during that stretch were the 1974 and 1975 seasons when it was held in Green Bay, as well as the 2021 season when it was held in Wisconsin Rapids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, the state tournament was relocated to Bob Suter’s LEGACY20 Arena (formerly known as the Capitol Ice Arena) in Middleton from 2023 to 2026. The girls state hockey tournament has been held in conjunction with the boys since the WIAA began sanctioning it in 2002.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WIAA to host state hockey at new LEGACY20 Arena at DeForest Yards
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