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Contact – Tim Stried, Director of Media Relations, [email protected]

 

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced the new divisional breakdowns and playoff regions for 2026 football season.

 

Of note, school consolidations are anticipated this summer within Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Youngstown City School District, which will result in some schools within those districts being reclassified into higher divisions. The OHSAA annually sets September 10 as the date to collect enrollment data from new schools and schools that have consolidations.

 

Starting Monday, schools will have a two-week window to opt up to Division I, per OHSAA bylaw 2-1-1, which could result in additional changes to divisional assignments.

 

Prior to those consolidations and potential opt-ups, the current 2026 divisions and regions are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Football/Football-2026

 

 

A total of 37 schools moved up a division from their 2025 assignment, which is due to the 2026-27 school year being the start of a new enrollment cycle, and/or also the OHSAA’s competitive balance process.

 

Schools can have up to 13 days of practice without pads during the summer, beginning May 15. An additional five days are permitted beginning July 15 for schools to complete the mandatory five-day acclimatization period. The OHSAA does not set a limit on physical fitness and conditioning workouts in the summer.

 

 

Division Adjusted Enrollment        Number of Teams

I              601 and more                    72

II             356 to 600                         106

III           257 to 355                         106

IV           197 to 256                         104

V             150 to 196                         105

VI           107 to 149                         107

VII          148 and less                      108

 

Summer Period: May 15 through July 31 (13 practices permitted, plus five days for acclimation)

Practice Begins – August 1

Regular-Season Begins – Week of August 17 (first Friday is August 21)

Regular-Season Ends – Saturday night, October 24

Playoff Qualifiers Announced – Sunday, October 25

Regional First Round – Friday, October 30

Regional Quarterfinals  - Friday, November 6

Regional Semifinals – Friday, November 13

Regional Finals – Friday, November 20

State Semifinals – Friday, November 27

State Championships – December 3-5, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton