Hershey's GIANT Center to Host PIAA Championships Through 2028, Boosting Local Economy

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Central Pennsylvania will host the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships and PIAA Basketball Championships at the GIANT Center from 2025 to 2028. The Dauphin County Commissioners and the Executive Director of the Hershey Harrisburg Sports and Events Authority announced this decision. The GIANT Center in Hershey has hosted the wrestling championships since it opened in 2003 and the basketball championships have been held there almost every year since 1980, except for a short period at Penn State.

The choice to keep these events at the GIANT Center is important for the local community. It continues a long tradition of sports in the region and is expected to bring about $18 million to the local economy over four years.

Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III, noted the positive impact on local businesses, including those in hospitality and retail. The events will attract visitors from across the state, increasing local business revenues and highlighting the area's attractions.

The GIANT Center has been key to the history of wrestling and basketball in Pennsylvania. Wrestling has taken place in Hershey almost continuously since 1979, moving from the Hersheypark Arena to the GIANT Center. The basketball championships also have a long history in Hershey, only occasionally being held elsewhere since 1980.