Record Attendance at 2024 New Brunswick Final 12 Basketball Championships

The 2024 New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association Final 12 basketball championships set a new attendance record, drawing crowds and online viewership that underscored the event’s growing popularity and the strong community support in the Saint John region. With a significant number of local teams competing, the event not only showcased athletic talent but also fostered a sense of regional pride and community spirit.

Unprecedented Local Participation

The remarkable turnout of 5,350 spectators at the TD Station, coupled with an additional 6,000 online viewers, highlighted the championships’ appeal. David Shiels, the chairperson of the Final 12, attributed this success to the high participation of teams from the Saint John area. Seven out of twelve teams hailed from this region, bringing a local fervor to the games. The southern teams, including St. Malachy’s (AAA girls), St. Stephen (AA girls), Fundy High (AA boys), and Kennebecasis Valley (AAA boys), dominated the championships, clinching four out of the six titles. This local dominance not only fueled the record attendance but also emphasized the strength and quality of basketball within the community.

TD Station: A Hub for Basketball Excellence

TD Station has become synonymous with the provincial basketball finals, hosting the event for the past 13 years. The transition of the hosting rights from the Aitken Centre in Fredericton, which had previously held the event for 24 years, to TD Station in Saint John marked a new era for the championships. The station’s ability to attract large crowds and generate a buzzing atmosphere has been a key factor in its success. With the current hosting deal set to expire after 2026, Shiels expressed optimism regarding the potential for securing another bid, pointing to the event’s continued success and the strong community involvement as decisive factors.

Looking Toward the Future

The 2024 Final 12 championships not only celebrated high school basketball excellence but also highlighted the event’s significant role in fostering community spirit and regional pride. The record-setting attendance and the enthusiastic participation of local teams underscore the championships’ importance as a cornerstone event for the Saint John region and beyond. As discussions about future hosting bids loom, the success of this year’s event sets a high benchmark, promising an even brighter future for the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association Final 12 basketball championships.