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The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is a Christmas-time basketball tournament that began in 1926. It is the nation's oldest Christmas basketball tournament. The tournament is held in Chicago, and the 93rd edition of the tournament took place in 2024. The tournament is an important event for the community, with the 2023 tournament being the first to incorporate a shot clock. The 2024 tournament was won by DePaul Prep, who beat Benet with a score of 59-56.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Started | 1926 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Time of Year | Christmas |
| Location | Pontiac |
| Teams | Varies, e.g. DePaul Prep, Benet, Simeon, Curie, Waukegan, Providence-St. Mel, Chicago (St. Rita), Bloom Township, Benet Academy, New Trier, etc. |
| Tickets | One-Day Pass: $60; Three-Day Pass: $120; Single-Game Pass: $5; Live Stream: $15 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas tournament, dating back to 1926
- The 93rd edition of the tournament was won by DePaul Prep
- The tournament features teams from various high schools and academies
- Tickets for the tournament are available as one-day or three-day passes, with the option to stream games online
- The tournament features concessions, with proceeds supporting the work of the student council and affiliated clubs
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas tournament, dating back to 1926
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas basketball tournament, with a history that dates back to 1926. This annual tournament is held in December, with the 92nd edition taking place in 2023. The tournament has a long and rich history, with teams competing for the coveted championship title.
The 2023 tournament featured a range of returning teams, including defending champion Simeon, 2022 runner-up Benet Academy, and previous winners Curie and Joliet West. The competition also welcomed Chicago (St. Rita) as a new addition to the tournament. With a format of 26 games over three days, the tournament is an intense and exciting showcase of high school basketball talent.
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is more than just a basketball competition; it's an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the sport. The tournament is organised with a range of concessions and hospitality options, with proceeds supporting the work of the student council and various clubs. Fans have the chance to interact with coaches, officials, and workers, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared passion for the game.
The tournament has a significant impact on the participating schools and their communities. For example, the 2024 tournament witnessed DePaul Prep winning back-to-back championships, showcasing the dedication and talent of their basketball programme. Similarly, in 2025, the Pontiac Arts & Technology boys basketball team from Michigan reached the Division 3 state championship game, uplifting the city of Pontiac and restoring pride to a once-dominant basketball community.
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament holds a special place in the nation's basketball culture, with a history spanning almost a century. It continues to be a platform for high school athletes to showcase their skills, build community spirit, and pursue their passion for the sport.
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The 93rd edition of the tournament was won by DePaul Prep
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas-time basketball tournament, dating back to 1926. The 93rd edition of the tournament was won by DePaul Prep, who beat Benet in a close final, 59-56. This was the first time in the tournament's long history that two private schools had faced each other in the final.
DePaul Prep's victory was their second Class 3A state championship in a row, and it was their first appearance at the Pontiac tournament. Their win was all the more impressive given that they had to adapt their style of play for the tournament, moving away from their usual focus on defence towards a more up-tempo style of play.
The game was close throughout, with the score at 56-54 to the Redwings with just under four minutes left to play. DePaul Prep's Rashaun Porter, a 6-foot-7-inch junior, put in a strong performance, leading the team with 17 points and nine rebounds. His presence in the post helped limit Benet's size advantage. The game was decided by one final defensive stop by DePaul Prep, as Benet's Blake Fagbemi missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
The tournament took place over three days, from 28-30 December, with the first game featuring Oak Park-River Forest against St. Charles (North). The tournament included concessions managed by the Student Council, with proceeds supporting the work of the student council and the Key Club. Fans were able to purchase one-day or three-day passes, or stream the games online.
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The tournament features teams from various high schools and academies
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas-time basketball tournament, with a history that dates back to 1926. The tournament features teams from various high schools and academies, including both public and private institutions.
In 2023, the 92nd edition of the tournament was held, with Chicago (Curie) voted as the team to beat by the seeding committee. Other top seeds included Bloom Township, Benet Academy, and New Trier. The tournament also saw the participation of returning teams like defending champion Simeon, 2022 runner-up Benet Academy, third-place Curie, and fourth-place Joliet West. Notably, Simeon left the tournament after 29 years of participation.
The tournament welcomed a new addition, Chicago (St. Rita), marking their first appearance. The competition was intense, with teams showcasing their skills and strategies. DePaul Prep, for instance, showcased a more up-tempo style of play, while still maintaining their defensive prowess.
The tournament is not just about the game but also offers a range of concessions and hospitality options. Student Council manages the concessions, with proceeds supporting their work and the tournament. Fans have the opportunity to socialise with coaches, officials, and workers in the Prairie Farms Hospitality Room, which is supplied with refreshments from local restaurants and eateries. The tournament also offers different ticketing options, including one-day and three-day passes, as well as streaming access for those who cannot attend in person.
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Tickets for the tournament are available as one-day or three-day passes, with the option to stream games online
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas-time basketball tournament, with a history dating back to 1926. The 93rd edition of the tournament took place in 2024, with DePaul Prep winning back-to-back championships.
The session tickets for the tournament are priced at $10, and fans can also take advantage of the hospitality room by purchasing a one-day pass or a three-day pass. The hospitality room offers an opportunity for fans to socialise with coaches, officials, and workers, while enjoying food and refreshments provided by local restaurants and eateries. Students and children are welcome in the hospitality room as well, as long as they are accompanied by a Sponsor Member.
The tournament also offers a range of concessions, with breakfast items such as biscuits and gravy, as well as breakfast sandwiches, available for purchase. Only 10% of the concession proceeds go back to the tournament, with the remaining 90% supporting the work of the Student Council. Additionally, the Key Club manages the coat check and sells programs, with all proceeds from program sales contributing to their funding.
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The tournament features concessions, with proceeds supporting the work of the student council and affiliated clubs
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas-time basketball tournament, with a history dating back to 1926. The 93rd edition of the tournament was held in 2024, with DePaul Prep winning back-to-back championships.
The tournament director, John Neisler, has stated that breakfast items will be available, including biscuits and gravy, as well as breakfast sandwiches. Local restaurants and eateries also provide food and refreshments for the Hospitality Room, where fans can rub elbows with coaches, officials, and workers. Students and children are allowed in the hospitality room only if they are accompanied by a Sponsor Member.
The tournament offers various ticketing options, including a One-Day Pass for $60 per adult and a Three-Day Pass for $120 per person, which includes a tournament program. For those unable to attend, all 26 games can be streamed for $15 for the entire tournament, or single-game passes can be purchased for $5 each.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the nation's oldest Christmas time basketball tournament, dating back to 1926.
The 92nd Pontiac Holiday Tournament was held from Thursday, December 28, to Saturday, December 30, 2023.
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament is held annually.
There are a few ticket options for the tournament:
- One-Day Pass: $60 per adult
- Three-Day Pass: $120 per person
- Session tickets: Varying prices
- Single-game passes: $5 per game
- Live stream: $15 for all 26 games
Some concessions available include breakfast items such as biscuits and gravy, and breakfast sandwiches. Programs are also available for purchase at $5 each.
