One of the biggest high school football games in Cincinnati this season is officially moving to Paycor Stadium. Tickets for Friday’s Division I, Region 4 Regional Championship between GCL South rivals, St. Xavier and the undefeated Elder Panthers went on sale at 12 p.m. Monday and sold out within a few hours, leaving many fans, including students, scrambling for answers. The game was originally slated to be played at Mason High School, with a capacity of about 6,000 fans.Now, the teams will play along the banks of the Ohio River at Paycor Stadium.Tickets will go live Wednesday at 10 a.m. You’ll be able to find them here.With the added capacity at Paycor, 20,000 tickets will be available for sale. All tickets purchased for the original host site at Mason High School will be valid. All tickets will be general admission.Parking will be available for $10 on Friday for surrounding lots and garages. Game time is still set for 7 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. “The Cincinnati Bengals would like to thank Hamilton County for its leadership on bringing this high school football playoff game to Paycor Stadium,” said Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn. “Commissioner Denise Driehaus jumpstarted the effort and pushed everyone with the spirit of ‘let’s make this happen’. The Bengals embraced this energy and are proud to support this event. The stadium manager has undertaken enormous measures to make this game happen, and the community will benefit from having a memorable event that will support leading educational institutions in this area like Elder High School and St. Xavier High School. Every effort will be made to make this a wonderful experience for student athletes, their families, the schools and the broader community – and the Bengals thank everyone for outstanding efforts across the board. Good luck to both teams.”Driehaus told WLWT, this move will be a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for so many of the young men who take the field Friday night.””Paycor is a publicly owned stadium – it only makes sense that the public should be able to access it for big events like Elder versus St. X,” Driehaus said. “I am grateful for Katie Blackburn and the Bengals organization in partnering to make this happen. This was one of the main points in our recent lease negotiations. Hopefully it is indicative of many similar events to come.”Concessions will be available for purchase. No alcohol will be served.“We would like to thank the Hamilton County Commissioners and the Cincinnati Bengals for their efforts to make it possible for this game to be played at Paycor Stadium,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “This will be a special game for the teams and communities and now more fans will be able to see the game. We thank Mason High School for being a great host school for the OHSAA and for their understanding.” The Bombers and Panthers previously met this season, on Sept. 26, with Elder winning by 10, 23-13. “Southwest Ohio is different,” Head coach of the St. Xavier High Bombers Steve Specht says he’s not surprised Friday’s game has been moved to Paycor. The Bombers head coach spoke to WLWT, promising a “heavy weight battle” and an “instant classic.”Sources with Mason City Schools said a game like this typically nets about $8,000 for their sports programs.The Mason school district already purchased more than $5,000 worth of perishable food for Friday’s game. OHSAA has reportedly offered to pay the rental fee and put $2,000 t0ward food costs.

CINCINNATI —

One of the biggest high school football games in Cincinnati this season is officially moving to Paycor Stadium.

Tickets for Friday’s Division I, Region 4 Regional Championship between GCL South rivals, St. Xavier and the undefeated Elder Panthers went on sale at 12 p.m. Monday and sold out within a few hours, leaving many fans, including students, scrambling for answers.

The game was originally slated to be played at Mason High School, with a capacity of about 6,000 fans.

Now, the teams will play along the banks of the Ohio River at Paycor Stadium.

Tickets will go live Wednesday at 10 a.m. You’ll be able to find them here.

With the added capacity at Paycor, 20,000 tickets will be available for sale. All tickets purchased for the original host site at Mason High School will be valid. All tickets will be general admission.

Parking will be available for $10 on Friday for surrounding lots and garages.

Game time is still set for 7 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.

“The Cincinnati Bengals would like to thank Hamilton County for its leadership on bringing this high school football playoff game to Paycor Stadium,” said Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn. “Commissioner Denise Driehaus jumpstarted the effort and pushed everyone with the spirit of ‘let’s make this happen’. The Bengals embraced this energy and are proud to support this event. The stadium manager has undertaken enormous measures to make this game happen, and the community will benefit from having a memorable event that will support leading educational institutions in this area like Elder High School and St. Xavier High School. Every effort will be made to make this a wonderful experience for student athletes, their families, the schools and the broader community – and the Bengals thank everyone for outstanding efforts across the board. Good luck to both teams.”

Driehaus told WLWT, this move will be a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for so many of the young men who take the field Friday night.”

“Paycor is a publicly owned stadium – it only makes sense that the public should be able to access it for big events like Elder versus St. X,” Driehaus said. “I am grateful for Katie Blackburn and the Bengals organization in partnering to make this happen. This was one of the main points in our recent lease negotiations. Hopefully it is indicative of many similar events to come.”

Concessions will be available for purchase. No alcohol will be served.

“We would like to thank the Hamilton County Commissioners and the Cincinnati Bengals for their efforts to make it possible for this game to be played at Paycor Stadium,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “This will be a special game for the teams and communities and now more fans will be able to see the game. We thank Mason High School for being a great host school for the OHSAA and for their understanding.”

The Bombers and Panthers previously met this season, on Sept. 26, with Elder winning by 10, 23-13.

“Southwest Ohio is different,” Head coach of the St. Xavier High Bombers Steve Specht says he’s not surprised Friday’s game has been moved to Paycor. The Bombers head coach spoke to WLWT, promising a “heavy weight battle” and an “instant classic.”

Sources with Mason City Schools said a game like this typically nets about $8,000 for their sports programs.

The Mason school district already purchased more than $5,000 worth of perishable food for Friday’s game. OHSAA has reportedly offered to pay the rental fee and put $2,000 t0ward food costs.