There are some adjustments likely ahead if the current Kansas State Basketball Tournament model returns next year, but by and large White Auditorium Tournament Director Amanda Gutierrez is quite pleased with how things went in Emporia last week.
Gutierrez says things went well with all the different fan bases — and there were a lot of fans attending the games.
If the projection holds, White Auditorium would have hosted around 2,500 fans per day for the five-day tournament. When the Emporia High girls played for third place in 2024, there was a similar daily attendance average. Last year had over 7,600 total fans, or around 1,900 fans a day.
Gutierrez was also pleased with the debut of the Emporia Team Pass — reimbursement funds to participating schools for food, lodging and entertainment.
Gutierrez admits it was tough to get the Emporia Team Pass information to the right people once all the brackets were set, at least initially.
Gutierrez also says planning “was a little hard early” as the Kansas State High School Activities Association had opening-round games at sites nearest the closest participants in most cases, regardless of class.
Emporia had over 20 games at White Auditorium because of the new five-day format, including five for the first-round action March 10 and two for first-round activities March 11.
State Basketball Tournament attendance at White Auditorium since 2016
2016=7606
2017=9312
2018=8730
2019=8734
2020=3671. Quarterfinals only; rest of tournament canceled due to COVID-19
2021=3321. Seating capacity due to COVID-19
2022=8030. Emporia High girls played quarterfinals
2023=7890 . Emporia High girls played quarterfinals
2024=9841. Emporia High girls finished fourth
2025=7624
2026=11,447 confirmed. Current total estimate is 12,397
