The Wells Fargo State Cup award is the symbol of overall sports excellence among high schools in North Carolina. Since 1979, the State Cup has been awarded to the schools which have the best overall interscholastic sports programs in each of the four classifications: 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. The program is presented by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in conjunction with one of its corporate supporters, Wells Fargo. Each State Cup winner receives a silver cup and a banner for permanent display at the school. The Wells Fargo State Cups are presented annually at a designated home football game at the recipient school.
All schools that finish in the top eight positions (plus ties) in an NCHSAA state championship event receive State Cup points. In events where 1A, 2A, 3A, and/or 4A schools compete together points are awarded on a school’s finish in that championship.
In State Cup competition, points are awarded for all sanctioned sports on the basis of 50 points for first, 45 for second, 40 for third, 35 for fourth, 30 for fifth, 25 for sixth, 20 for seventh, and 15 for eighth. In the event of a tie, the schools receive an equal number of points, based on the number of teams that tie and the number of teams that finish higher in the standings. Five participation points are awarded for each sanctioned sport in which a school competes in NCHSAA playoffs.
The Wells Fargo Conference Cup award is a companion to the statewide Wells Fargo State Cup. The Conference Cup is based on regular season performances within conference play and is designed to recognize the best interscholastic athletic performance within each of the NCHSAA’s conferences. Each Conference Cup winner receives a silver cup for permanent display at the school.
The Conference Cup is awarded to the school securing the most points during the school year within their respective conference. Points are awarded based on participation and standings in conference play. Each conference can adapt our standardized point system or determine its own system for awarding points. The standardized system works as follows: points are awarded for all sports on the basis of 50 points for first, 45 for second, 40 for third, 35 for fourth, 30 for fifth, 25 for sixth, 20 for seventh, and 15 for eighth.
*Special Provisions:
- In the event of a tie, the schools receive an equal number of points, based on the number of teams that tie and the number of teams that finish higher in the standings. (e.g. A three-way tie for third place would be 40+35+30=105, divided evenly between those three teams to equal 35 points awarded to each team)
- If only half or less of the schools in a conference field a team in a particular sport, then half of the total points that would be earned for the team finish will be awarded. (e.g. If three teams participate out of a six-school league, 25 points would go to first, 22.5 points to second, 20 points to third, and no points awarded to schools without a participating team)
- If only one school from a conference fields a team, that team will receive 15 points toward the conference cup.
Current 2023-24 Wells Fargo State Cup Standings
After the conclusion of the 2023-2024 School Year
1A Classification
| Winner | Mount Airy | 352.5 |
| Runner-up | Swain County | 330 |
| 3 | Bishop McGuinness | 305 |
| 3 | Christ the King | 305 |
| 5 | Mountain Island Charter | 267.5 |
| 6 | Corvian Community | 230 |
| 7 | Elkin | 225 |
| 8 | Uwharrie Charter | 205 |
| 9 | Thomas Jefferson | 202.5 |
| 10 | Robbinsville | 197.5 |
2A Classification
| Winner | Seaforth | 527.5 |
| Runner-up | Pine Lake Prep | 477.5 |
| 3 | N.C. School of Science & Math (Durham) | 302.5 |
| 4 | Salisbury | 295 |
| 5 | Lincoln Charter | 292.5 |
| 6 | Franklin Academy | 282.5 |
| 7 | Brevard | 237.5 |
| 8 | Community School of Davidson | 225 |
| 9 | Clinton | 217.5 |
| 10 | East Burke | 195 |
3A Classification
| Winner | Croatan | 520 |
| Runner-up | Lake Norman Charter | 365 |
| 3 | North Lincoln | 330 |
| 4 | Carrboro | 302.5 |
| 5 | First Flight | 300 |
| 6 | Orange | 295 |
| 7 | J.H. Rose | 280 |
| 8 | Hickory | 275 |
| 9 | Terry Sanford | 270 |
| 10 | Dudley | 267.5 |
4A Classification
| Winner | Marvin Ridge | 615 |
| Runner-up | Cardinal Gibbons | 477.5 |
| 3 | Weddington | 407.5 |
| 4 | Myers Park | 377.5 |
| 5 | Cuthbertson | 345 |
| 6 | Charlotte Catholic | 342.5 |
| 7 | Hoggard | 305 |
| 8 | Ardrey Kell | 287.5 |
| 9 | Green Hope | 250 |
| 10 | Broughton | 247.5 |
