OHSAA Announces 2026 Football Divisions and Regions

Courtesy of OHSAA

OHSAA Announces 2026 Football Divisions and Regions

708 schools will play 11-man football this season; regular-season begins week of August 17

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

2026 OHSAA Football – Report Showing All Schools

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 two-year base 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.

2026 OHSAA Football Divisional Breakdowns

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 198 105

VI 107 to 149 107

VII 148 and less 108 Total Teams 708

2026 OHSAA Football Calendar

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

Practice Begins – August 1