Arkansas TV Sports recognizes the vital role extracurricular activities play for student-athletes while connecting families statewide by featuring hometown athletes competing in the biggest games of the season. Arkansas TV broadcasts live high school football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball championship games. Learn more at arkansastv.gov/sports and tune in for the 2026 basketball championships, beginning March 12.

Chandler Venzant is a former athlete with over 10 years of competitive sports experience. Now passionate about athlete wellness and personal development, Chandler writes about the importance of mental health and performance, drawing from firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the pressures athletes face.

Since 2018, Arkansas PBS and the Arkansas Activities Association have delivered live broadcasts of high school state championships, bringing the excitement and stories of student-athletes and their communities into homes across the state.

By Andy Robertson
Arkansas PBS Public Information Specialist

Though Arkansas PBS has broadcast the eight-man state football championship since 2022, we thought it would be helpful to give accounts of recent history on this version of football in Arkansas.

What is eight-man football? 

Behind the Scenes - Sports Photography

Twenty-four schools are hungry for a state championship, and AR PBS Sports, in partnership with the Arkansas Activities Association, is ready to bring the high school basketball state championship games into your home! We’re presenting the state finals LIVE from Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs so families and fans across Arkansas can join in the celebration from the comfort of home, whether on TV, at myarpbs.org/watchsports or in the PBS App.

Get ready to swing for the fences! AR PBS Sports, along with the Arkansas Activities Association, is ready to bring the high school baseball and softball state championship games into your home! We’re sharing live broadcasts of the state finals from the University of Central Arkansas so families and fans across Arkansas can enjoy the celebration from the comfort of your own home!

The current schedule of the Arkansas high school state finals, which will air live on AR PBS Sports, will feature the following Class 1A through 6A games.

Photos courtesy of Arkansas PBS production intern and Harding University student Dakota Allinder. 
ABOVE: Lakeside TV photographer James Johnson shoots courtside for “AR PBS Sports” at Bank OZK arena in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Twenty-four schools are hungry for a state championship and AR PBS Sports, along with the Arkansas Activities Association, is ready to bring the high school basketball state championship games into your home! We’re sharing live broadcasts of the state finals from Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs so families and fans across Arkansas can enjoy the celebration from the comfort of your own home!