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The start of Alabama high school football is nearly here, with teams across the state preparing for a season that will feature a new classification format and a new destination for the AHSAA state championships.
The AHSAA allowed teams to begin regular fall practice on Aug. 3, while programs that chose not to participate in spring practice could get an earlier start on July 27.
The first games of the season can be played Thursday, Aug. 20. Most teams are expected to open their schedules Friday, Aug. 21, while others may wait until the following week to begin regular-season play.
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Once the regular season wraps up, the AHSAA playoffs will begin Nov. 6. Postseason games will continue each week, with the second round scheduled for Nov. 13, the third round on Nov. 20 and the fourth round on Nov. 27. The season will conclude with the state championship games Dec. 2-5 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile.
This will mark the first time Mobile hosts the football championship event as part of the AHSAA's new state championship rotation. The title games will be spread across a five-day event.
Another major change this season is the introduction of a public- and private-school classification split. Under the new format, Alabama high school football will feature six public-school classifications and two private-school classifications.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 AHSAA football season.
Several defending state champions will enter the season hoping to remain on top, despite the classification shakeups.
Despite ending Class 7A, Thompson returns as the defending champion, while Clay-Chalkville won the Class 6A title. Moody enters the year as the Class 5A champion, with Jackson defending its Class 4A championship.
Mars Hill Bible won last season's Class 3A title, Coosa Christian claimed the Class 2A championship and Maplesville finished the year as the Class 1A champion.
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: When does Alabama high school football start? Key 2026 AHSAA dates to know
Continue reading...
The AHSAA allowed teams to begin regular fall practice on Aug. 3, while programs that chose not to participate in spring practice could get an earlier start on July 27.
The first games of the season can be played Thursday, Aug. 20. Most teams are expected to open their schedules Friday, Aug. 21, while others may wait until the following week to begin regular-season play.
AHSAA: Buster Daniel emerges as AHSAA's new voice for private schools
FALCONS: Ole Miss commit Tra’Von Hall leads Central football into 2026 season
Once the regular season wraps up, the AHSAA playoffs will begin Nov. 6. Postseason games will continue each week, with the second round scheduled for Nov. 13, the third round on Nov. 20 and the fourth round on Nov. 27. The season will conclude with the state championship games Dec. 2-5 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile.
This will mark the first time Mobile hosts the football championship event as part of the AHSAA's new state championship rotation. The title games will be spread across a five-day event.
Another major change this season is the introduction of a public- and private-school classification split. Under the new format, Alabama high school football will feature six public-school classifications and two private-school classifications.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 AHSAA football season.
Key dates for the 2026 AHSAA football season
- July 27: Earliest fall practice date for teams that did not participate in spring practice
- Aug. 3: First regular day of fall practice
- Aug. 20: First day teams can play games
- Nov. 6: Round 1 of playoffs
- Nov. 13: Round 2 of playoffs
- Nov. 20: Round 3 of playoffs
- Nov. 27: Round 4 of playoffs
- Dec. 2-5: AHSAA football state championships
Who are the reigning AHSAA state champions?
Several defending state champions will enter the season hoping to remain on top, despite the classification shakeups.
Despite ending Class 7A, Thompson returns as the defending champion, while Clay-Chalkville won the Class 6A title. Moody enters the year as the Class 5A champion, with Jackson defending its Class 4A championship.
Mars Hill Bible won last season's Class 3A title, Coosa Christian claimed the Class 2A championship and Maplesville finished the year as the Class 1A champion.
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: When does Alabama high school football start? Key 2026 AHSAA dates to know
Continue reading...
