Dauphin County Commissioners George P. Hartwick, III, Justin Douglas and Mike Pries, along with Gregg Cook, Executive Director of the Hershey Harrisburg Sports and Events Authority, announced today that GIANT Center was successful in its bids to host PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships and PIAA Basketball Championships for the next four years, from 2025-28.

It's been a great run for both sports: wrestling has been at GIANT Center every year since 2003, when the arena first debuted, and in Hershey every year since 1979. Initially, they were held in Hersheypark Arena before GIANT Center was built.

Hershey has hosted the basketball championships since 1980, except for six years when they were played at Penn State, from 2007-12. Hersheypark Arena hosted the games from 1980-2002, and Giant Center 2003-06, and 2013-present.

“This is fantastic news for not only local athletes and their families, but for spectators and business owners throughout central PA, from our restaurants and hotels to shops and attractions,” said Hartwick, who was himself an award-winning wrestler and wrestling official. “Hershey and Harrisburg’s welcome mat is always out for individuals and families who want to enjoy the beauty, talent and tremendous amenities of the sweetest place on earth as much as we do. We are so excited to host these fabulous competitions for athletes who have worked so hard, and we are so pleased and proud that the entire region will benefit from their economic impact as well.”

Cook estimated the total economic impact of these two competitions over four years to be $18 million.