Security Measures Announced for State Finals Basketball Tourney That Starts Thursday at Hot Springs’ Bank OZK Arena
DATE: MARCH 11, 2026
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Security measures will be in force for the 2026 Arkansas state high school basketball championship tournament that begins Thursday, March 12, and runs through Saturday, March 14, at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
Jennifer Wolcott, director of operations for Visit Hot Springs, said no admission tickets will be sold at the Arena. Tickets are sold online only at https://gofan.co/app/school/AAA.
“We will clear the Arena after each morning session to prepare for the afternoon session,” Wolcott said. “No one is allowed on the basketball court at any time except for official participants.”
There will be walk-through metal detectors at all entrances, Wolcott said.
These security rules will be in effect:
Clear bags only will be allowed. Only one clear bag per person. Maximum bag size will be 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches. All persons entering will be subject to being searched.
The list of prohibited items:
Weapons of any kind, including knives of any kind; firearms of any kind; backpacks; fireworks or pyrotechnics of any kind.
Other prohibited items: outside food or beverage; beach balls; Frisbees; confetti; streamers; laser pointers; balloons; noisemaking devices; audio or video recording devices except cell phones and authorized media equipment; signs; flags; banners and ANY other items deemed by staff and/or event organizers to be a potential safety or security threat.
Wolcott reminded fans that Bank OZK Arena is operated as a cashless venue, and that tickets are sold online only — no tickets will be sold at the Arena.
Ticketed entrances to the Arena will be (1) Convention Boulevard at Laurel Street, enter through the main entrance on Convention Boulevard; (2) the Church Street at Laurel Street entrance, enter through Church Street; (3) enter via the concourse from the Convention Center.
Arkansas Activities Association passholders should enter at the Church Street/Laurel Street entrance on Church Street. Basketball teams and cheerleaders should enter via the arena ramp.
The schedule of games:
Thursday, March 12
10:30 a.m. — Unified Game Clinton vs Pea Ridge
Noon — 1A Girls – West Side vs Earle
1:45 p.m. — 1A Boys – Clarendon vs Earle
6 p.m. — 2A Girls – Sloan-Hendrix vs Quitman
7:45 p.m. — 2A Boys – Barton vs Mount Vernon-Enola
Friday, March 13
10:30 a.m. — Unified Game Conway vs Bryant
Noon — 3A Girls – Manila vs McGehee
1:45 p.m. — 3A Boys – Newport vs Osceola
6 p.m. — 4A Girls – Pea Ridge vs Pulaski Academy
7:45 p.m. — 4A Boys – Mills vs Little Rock Hall
Saturday, March 14
Noon — 5A Girls – Farmington vs Mountain Home
1:45 p.m. — 5A Boys – Marion vs Little Rock Parkview
6 p.m. — 6A Girls – Har-Ber vs North Little Rock
7:45 p.m. — 6A Boys – Little Rock Central vs Bryant
For more information contact Jennifer Wolcott at 501-620-5015.