High School Football Playoffs 2026: Start Dates for All 50 States, Full Schedule and How to Watch
The 2026 high school football playoffs are underway across the United States, with teams in all 50 states competing for regional and state championship titles. While some states began their postseason schedules in October, others will kick off their playoff campaigns throughout November and December.
The high school football postseason is one of the most exciting periods of the American sports calendar. It brings championship opportunities, unexpected upsets, standout individual performances and memorable moments for players, coaches and fans.
From Texas and California to Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, playoff schedules vary depending on state associations, classifications and divisions. Some states also organize separate postseason competitions for public and private schools, as well as different football formats.
The 2026 postseason will also attract national attention, with regional teams competing for recognition in the Super 15 and Super 25 rankings.
Here is the complete guide to 2026 high school football playoff start dates for all 50 states, including Washington, D.C., classification-specific schedules and information on watching games live.
2026 High School Football Playoff Start Dates: All 50 States
The following schedule lists the reported opening dates for high school football playoffs across the United States in 2026.
| State | 2026 Playoff Start Date |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Friday, November 6 |
| Alaska | Season completed |
| Arizona | October 23 (8-man, Class 1A); October 30 (Class 2A); November 6 (Classes 3A–5A); November 13 (Class 6A, Open Division) |
| Arkansas | Friday, November 13 |
| California | Friday, November 6 |
| Colorado | October 31 (Class 2A); November 6 (6-man, 8-man, Classes 1A–5A) |
| Connecticut | Tuesday, December 1 |
| Delaware | Friday, November 20 |
| Florida | Friday, November 13 |
| Georgia | Friday, November 13 |
| Hawaii | Friday, November 13 |
| Idaho | Friday, October 30 |
| Illinois | Friday, October 23 |
| Indiana | Friday, October 23 |
| Iowa | October 23 (8-man, Classes A–2A); October 30 (Classes 3A–5A) |
| Kansas | Thursday, October 29 |
| Kentucky | Friday, November 6 |
| Louisiana | Friday, November 13 |
| Maine | Friday, October 30 |
| Maryland | Friday, November 6 |
| Massachusetts | Friday, November 6 |
| Michigan | Friday, October 30 |
| Minnesota | Tuesday, October 20 |
| Mississippi | November 6 (Classes 1A–4A); November 13 (Classes 5A–7A) |
| Missouri | Friday, October 30 |
| Montana | Friday, October 30 |
| Nebraska | Friday, October 30 |
| Nevada | Friday, October 30 |
| New Hampshire | Friday, November 6 |
| New Jersey | October 30 (Public Schools); November 6 (Non-public) |
| New Mexico | October 30 (6-man, 8-man); November 6 (Classes 2A–6A) |
| New York | November 6 (Catholic Leagues); November 13 (Long Island); November 27 (Public) |
| North Carolina | Friday, November 6 |
| North Dakota | October 24 (9-man, Division A); October 30 (Divisions AA and AAA) |
| Ohio | Friday, October 30 |
| Oklahoma | Friday, November 13 |
| Oregon | Friday, November 6 |
| Pennsylvania | Friday, November 20 |
| Rhode Island | Friday, November 6 |
| South Carolina | Friday, November 6 |
| South Dakota | Thursday, October 22 |
| Tennessee | Friday, November 6 |
| Texas | Thursday, November 12 |
| Utah | Friday, October 30 |
| Vermont | Friday, October 23 |
| Virginia | Saturday, November 14 |
| Washington | Friday, November 13 |
| West Virginia | Friday, November 13 |
| Wisconsin | October 15 (8-man); October 23 (11-man) |
| Wyoming | Friday, October 30 |
Washington, D.C. High School Football Playoffs
Washington, D.C., is also included in the 2026 postseason schedule.
Playoff Start Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026.
When Do High School Football Playoffs Start in November 2026?
November is a particularly busy month for high school football postseason action, with numerous state associations beginning their playoff competitions.
Several states are scheduled to open their playoffs on Friday, November 6, including Alabama, California, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Other states will begin on November 13, including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Washington and West Virginia.
Texas will begin its playoff schedule on Thursday, November 12, while Virginia and Washington, D.C., are scheduled to start on Saturday, November 14.
Delaware and Pennsylvania will begin their postseason competitions on November 20.
States With October High School Football Playoff Start Dates
Several states began their 2026 high school football postseason in October.
Among the earliest reported starts were:
Minnesota: October 20.
South Dakota: October 22.
Illinois and Indiana: October 23.
Vermont: October 23.
Iowa: October 23 for 8-man and Classes A, 1A and 2A.
Kansas: October 29.
Idaho, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio and Wyoming: October 30.
Colorado, Utah, Maine and other states also began their postseason competitions during the final days of October.
States With Different Playoff Dates by Classification
Not every state follows a single statewide playoff opening date. Several associations use separate schedules for different classifications, divisions or school categories.
Here are some important examples:
Arizona
Arizona has different opening dates across its football classifications:
- October 23: 8-man and Class 1A.
- October 30: Class 2A.
- November 6: Classes 3A, 4A and 5A.
- November 13: Class 6A and Open Division.
Colorado
Colorado's postseason schedule includes:
- October 31: Class 2A.
- November 6: 6-man, 8-man and Classes 1A, 3A, 4A and 5A.
Iowa
Iowa's playoff schedule is divided according to football classifications:
- October 23: 8-man and Classes A, 1A and 2A.
- October 30: Classes 3A, 4A and 5A.
Mississippi
Mississippi will begin its postseason in two stages:
- November 6: Classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.
- November 13: Classes 5A, 6A and 7A.
New Jersey
New Jersey separates its playoff schedules for public and non-public schools:
- October 30: Public schools.
- November 6: Non-public schools.
New Mexico
New Mexico has separate opening dates for smaller football formats and traditional classifications:
- October 30: 6-man and 8-man.
- November 6: Classes 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A.
New York
New York's postseason schedule includes different dates for Catholic leagues, Long Island and public schools:
- November 6: Catholic leagues.
- November 13: Long Island.
- November 27: Public schools.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's playoff schedule begins in October:
- October 15: 8-man football.
- October 23: 11-man football.
How to Watch High School Football Playoff Games in 2026
Fans can follow the 2026 high school football playoffs through several platforms, depending on their state and local broadcasting arrangements.
Common ways to watch and follow games include:
NFHS Network: Provides live and on-demand coverage of participating high school sporting events.
State Athletic Association Websites: State organizations publish playoff brackets, schedules, scores and official updates.
Local Television Networks: Some regional broadcasters provide live coverage of major playoff games and state championship contests.
School Athletic Websites: Individual high schools often publish game schedules, ticket information and streaming details.
Local Sports Media: Regional newspapers and sports websites provide playoff previews, results, team news and coverage.
Broadcasting rights and streaming availability differ by state, so fans should check their local athletic association and school websites for confirmed coverage.
Super 15 and Super 25: National High School Football Spotlight
The 2026 high school football postseason also brings national attention to some of the country's leading programs.
Regional teams competing in the Super 15 rankings represent five major areas:
WestEast
Southeast
Southwest
Midwest
These regional rankings provide a broader view of the nation's top high school football programs.
Teams hoping to earn a place in the national Super 25 rankings will also attract attention as the postseason progresses.
The playoff results could influence national recognition and highlight some of the most successful teams and standout players of the 2026 season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When do the 2026 high school football playoffs start?
The 2026 high school football playoffs began in some states on October 15, with other states starting their postseason competitions in October, November and December.
Which state starts its 2026 high school football playoffs first?
According to the supplied schedule, Wisconsin has the earliest listed start date, October 15, for 8-man football teams.
When do Texas high school football playoffs start in 2026?
Texas high school football playoffs are scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
When do California high school football playoffs begin in 2026?
California's 2026 high school football playoffs are scheduled to start on Friday, November 6.
When do Florida high school football playoffs start in 2026?
Florida's high school football postseason is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 13, 2026.
When do Alabama high school football playoffs begin?
Alabama's 2026 high school football playoffs are scheduled to start on Friday, November 6.
When do Kentucky high school football playoffs start in 2026?
Kentucky's KHSAA football playoffs began on Friday, November 6, 2026.
When do Ohio high school football playoffs begin?
Ohio's high school football playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday, October 30, 2026.
When do Georgia high school football playoffs start?
Georgia's 2026 high school football playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday, November 13.
When do Pennsylvania high school football playoffs start?
Pennsylvania's high school football playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday, November 20, 2026.
When do Arizona high school football playoffs start?
Arizona uses different opening dates depending on classification. The reported schedule starts October 23 for 8-man and Class 1A, October 30 for Class 2A, November 6 for Classes 3A–5A and November 13 for Class 6A and the Open Division.
When do Virginia high school football playoffs begin?
Virginia's 2026 high school football playoffs are scheduled to start on Saturday, November 14.
When do Washington high school football playoffs start?
Washington's high school football playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday, November 13, 2026.
How can fans watch high school football playoff games live?
Fans can check NFHS Network, local television broadcasters, state athletic association websites and individual school streaming platforms for live coverage.
Do all states begin high school football playoffs on the same date?
No. Each state has its own postseason schedule. Some states also use different opening dates for classifications, divisions, public schools, private schools and 8-man or 11-man football.
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