How to watch 2023 Iowa high school state football semifinal and championship games on TV, live stream

The UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls hosts the Iowa high school state football semifinal games this week and the championship games next week in all seven classes. Here’s a viewing guide.

Iowa high school state football schedule

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8

8-Player semifinals

Algona Garrigan (10-1) vs. No. 1 Winfield-Mount Union (11-0), 10 a.m.

No. 7 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (10-1) vs. No. 3 Bedford (11-0), 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 9

Class A semifinals

No. 4 Madrid (11-0) vs. No. 3 West Hancock (10-1), 10 a.m.

East Buchanan (9-2) vs. No. 2 Woodbury Central (11-0), 1 p.m.

Class 4A semifinals

No. 4 North Polk (9-2) vs. No. 3 Council Bluffs Lewis Central (9-2), 4 p.m.

No. 6 Bondurant-Farrar (9-2) vs. No. 1 Western Dubuque (10-1), 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 10

Class 1A semifinals

Waterloo Columbus (9-2) vs. No. 1 Grundy Center (11-0), 10 a.m.

No. 4 MFL MarMac (10-1) vs. No. 2 Underwood (10-1), 1 p.m.

Class 5A semifinals

West Des Moines Valley (6-5) vs. No. 1 Southeast Polk (11-0), 4 p.m.

No. 7 Ankeny Centennial (7-4) vs. No. 6 Ankeny (8-3), 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

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Live updates: Iowa high school state football semifinals

Class 2A semifinals

No. 4 Monticello (10-1) vs. No. 2 Van Meter (11-0), 10 a.m.

No. 5 Spirit Lake (10-1) vs. No. 1 Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (11-0), 1 p.m.

Class 3A semifinals

No. 8 Sioux City Heelan (10-1) vs. No. 1 Creston (11-0), 4 p.m.

No. 3 Williamsburg (10-1) vs. No. 2 Solon (10-1), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 16

8-Player championship game, 9:30 a.m.

Class A championship game, 1 p.m.

Class 1A championship game, 4 p.m.

Class 4A championship game, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 17

Class 2A championship game, 10 a.m.

Class 3A championship game, 1 p.m.

Class 5A championship game, 7 p.m.

How to watch state football semifinal games

The semifinals start Wednesday with 8-Player games and continue through Saturday.

TV: Iowa High School Sports Network affiliates, including MC22

Live stream: IHSSN.com or Watch IHSSN mobile app (subscription required)

Live scores: Follow The Gazette’s live updates

How to watch state football championship games

There are four championship games next Thursday and three next Friday.

TV: Iowa High School Sports Network affiliates, including KFXA (Cedar Rapids) and KDSM (Des Moines)

Live stream: IHSSN.com or Watch IHSSN mobile app (subscription required)

Why aren’t the games free to watch online?

The Iowa High School Sports Network announced in June a new subscription plan for its state tournament streaming coverage that started with the 2023 state baseball tournament.

It will cost viewers $9.99 (plus tax) to watch a single game, or you can pay $18.99 (plus tax) to get access to all the state football semifinal and championship games.

Access to IHSSN state tournament live streams was free in previous years. The Iowa High School Athletic Association objected to the new plan and has filed a petition for declaratory relief in Polk County court. The IHSSN is the contracted media rights holder for boys’ state tournaments until July 31, 2029.

“We have objected to IHSSN’s live streaming charges since they were announced this summer,” the IHSAA said in a statement released Monday. “The dispute remains ongoing in Polk County District Court.

“The IHSAA will continue to pursue free public access to broadcasts and streaming of its championship events. Until then, attending IHSAA championships allows fans to support our schools in person and ensures purchases go toward student-athlete programs and experiences.”

Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com