Champions Crowned as 2026 High School Football Playoffs Bring State Brackets, Championship Dates, Scores, Results

A National Playoff Guide

The postseason runs from opening rounds in Alaska to championship games in Texas. Thousands of teams are competing, with some states already finished and others still approaching their first playoff games.

The guide covers every state and the District of Columbia. State listings include postseason start dates, classifications, championship dates and locations, and bracket links when available. Scores and winning teams are added as championship games conclude. Bracket links will be provided as classifications are released, and the information is expected to change throughout the postseason.

Alabama Changes Its Format

Alabama is returning to six public-school classifications in 2026 and creating two separate private-school divisions. Each private-school division will have its own state championship, making eight championship brackets in all. The championship games are scheduled for Hancock Whitney Stadium at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

Alaska Crowns Its Champions

Alaska has completed its championship season. South Anchorage repeated as Division I champion, Lathrop finished undefeated, and Kenai Central won the Division III title. The listed championship sites are Wasilla High School in Wasilla for Divisions II and III, and Colony High School in Palmer for Division I.

Schedules Vary By State

Playoff start dates differ across the country. In one state, competition begins Oct. 23 for 1A eight-player, followed by 2A on Oct. 30, 3A through 5A on Nov. 6, and 6A and the Open Division on Nov. 13. Its championship dates range from Nov. 14 to Dec. 5.

Another state's title games are scheduled for Dec. 3, 4, 5 and 12, across eight-player and classifications 2A through 7A. California begins with section tournaments on dates that vary by section; the Southern Section starts Nov. 6, and Open Division representatives go directly to the state championship game.

Colorado's playoffs start Oct. 31 for 2A and Nov. 6 for six-man, eight-man, and classes 1A through 5A. Championship games are scheduled Nov. 27 and 28 at CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl, and Dec. 5 at Canvas Stadium at Colorado State University.

Late Starts And New Divisions

Florida's 2026 format adds an Open Division championship. Dates for classes 1A through 6A and the Open Division remain to be announced; the Independent League is set for Dec. 4, and the Florida Invitational Tournament for an unannounced date.

Games for classes 1A through 6A and the Open Division are listed at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. The Independent League and Florida Invitational Tournament are listed at The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium in Sumterville. Another championship listing gives Nov. 20-21 at The Villages Charter School in The Villages, Florida.