When Do High School Football Playoffs and Championships Start? A Complete State-By-State Guide

Unveil the kickoff dates for high school football playoffs and championships nationwide. This comprehensive state-by-state guide covers key dates, from playoff commences to championship clashes, as seniors we’ll see playing on Saturdays aim to end their high school careers on a high.

Beyond celebrating young athletes’ skills, these events serve as a talent pool for college football recruiters seeking tomorrow’s football legends. Join us as we navigate the thrilling landscape of high school football action throughout the country.

Playoff Start Dates & Championship Dates for High School Football

Alabama:

• Playoffs Begin: November 10
• Championships: December 6-8

Alabama Independent School Association:

• Playoffs Begin: November 3
• Championships: November 16

Alaska:

• Playoffs Begin: October 6
• Championships: October 14 (Division III); October 21 (Divisions I & II)

Arizona:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 20 (1A)
  • November 3 (3A, 2A)
  • November 10 (6A, 5A, 4A)
  • November 17 (Open Division)
• Championships:
  • November 11 (1A)
  • December 2 (Open, 6A)
  • December 1 (5A, 4A)
  • November 24 (3A, 2A)

Arkansas:

• Playoffs Begin: November 1
• Championships: November 30 – December 2

California:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • December 1-2 (Regional Bowl Championships, North/South)
  • December 8-9 (State Championship Bowl Games)

Colorado:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • November 2 (5A, 4A, 2A, 1A, A8, A6)
  • November 9 (3A)
• Championships:
  • November 24 (6-Man, 8-Man)
  • November 26 (2A, 1A)
  • December 2 (5A, 4A, 3A)

Connecticut:

• Playoffs Begin: November 28
• Championships: December 9

Delaware:

• Playoffs Begin: November 17
• Championships: December 10

Florida:

• Playoffs Begin: TBD
• Championships: TBD

Georgia:

• Playoffs Begin: November 11
• Championships: December 11-13 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Hawaii:

• Playoffs Begin: November 10
• Championships: November 24-25

Idaho:

• Playoffs Begin: October 27
• Championships: November 17-18

Illinois:

• Playoffs Begin: October 28
• Championships: November 24-25

Indiana:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 20 (5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A)
  • October 29 (6A)
• Championships: November 24-25 at Lucas Oil Stadium

Iowa:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 20 (2A, 1A, A, 8-Player)
  • October 27 (5A, 4A, 3A)
• Championships: November 16-17

Kansas:

• Playoffs Begin: October 26
• Championships: November 25

Kentucky:

• Playoffs Begin: November 2-4
• Championships: December 1-2

Louisiana:

• Playoffs Begin: November 10
• Championships: December 7-9 at Caesars Superdome

Maine:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 20 (8-Man)
  • October 27 (B, C)
  • November 3 (A, D)
• Championships:
  • November 11 (8-Man)
  • November 18 (A, B, C, D)

Maryland:

• Playoffs Begin: November 3
• Championships: November 30 – December 2

Massachusetts:

• Playoffs Begin: To be Determined
• Championships: To be Determined

Michigan:

• Playoffs Begin: October 27
• Championships:
  • November 11 (8-man)
  • November 25-26 (11-man) at Ford Field

Minnesota:

• Playoffs Begin: October 24
• Championships: November 24-25 at U.S. Bank Stadium

Mississippi:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • November 3 (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A)
  • November 10 (7A, 6A, 5A)
• Championships: November 30 – December 2

Midsouth Association of Independent Schools:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 27 (5A, 4A, 3A, 2A)
  • November 3 (6A)
• Championships: November 16-18

Missouri:

• Playoffs Begin: October 27
• Championships:
  • November 25 (Class 6)
  • December 1-2 (Class 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 8-man)

Montana:

• Playoffs Begin: October 27
• Championships: November 17-18

Nebraska:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 20 (D1, D2)
  • October 28 (A, B, C1, C2, D6)
• Championships:
  • November 17 (6-Man)
  • November 20-21 (A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2)

Nevada:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 26 (5A, 4A, 3A)
  • November 3 (State Quarterfinals for all Classes)
• Championships: November 17-18

New Hampshire:

• Playoffs Begin: November 3
• Championships:
  • November 10 or 11 (Division III, Division IV)
  • November 17 or 18 (Division I, Division II)

New Jersey:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 27 (Non-Public)
  • November 3 (Public)
• Championships:
  • November 26, 27 or 28 (Non-Public)
  • November 28-29 (Public)

New Mexico:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 21 (8-man, 6-man)
  • October 28 (6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A)
• Championships:
  • November 11 (8-man, 6-man)
  • November 18 (2A)
  • November 25 (6A, 5A, 4A, 3A)

New York:

• Catholic High School League
  • Playoffs Begin — November 3
  • Championships — November 18-19
• Long Island
  • Playoffs Begin — November 11
  • Championships — Thanksgiving Weekend
• New York State Public High School Association
  • Playoffs Begin — October 27
  • Championships — December 1-3

North Carolina:

• Playoffs Begin: November 3
• Championships: December 8-9

North Dakota:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • October 21 (11B, 9B)
  • October 27 (11AAA, 11AA, 11A)
• Championships: November 10

Ohio:

• Playoffs Begin: October 27
• Championships: November 30 – December 2

Oklahoma:

• Playoffs Begin: November 10
• Championships:
  • December 1-2 (6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, C)
  • December 8-9 (2A, A, B)

Oregon:

• Playoffs Begin: November 3
• Championships: November 24-25

Pennsylvania:

• Playoffs Begin: November 17
• Championships: December 7-9

Rhode Island:

• Playoffs Begin: November 3
• Championships: November 17-18

South Carolina:

• Playoffs Begin:
  • November 3 (SCHSL)
  • November 17-18 (SCISA)
• Championships:
  • November 30 – December 2 (SCHSL)
  • November 17-18 (SCISA)

South Dakota:

• Playoffs Begin: Varies by class
• Championships: November 9-11

Tennessee:

• Playoffs Begin: November 3
• Championships: November 30 – September 2

Texas:

• Playoffs Begin: November 9
• Championships:
  • December 13-16 at AT&T Stadium (UIL)
  • November 30 – December 2 (TAPPS)

Utah:

• Playoffs Begin: October 20
• Championships:
  • November 11 (3A, 2A, 1A, 8-Man)
  • November 17 (6A, 5A, 4A)

Vermont:

• Playoffs Begin: October 28-29
• Championships: November 11

Virginia:

• Playoffs Begin: November 11
• Championships: December 9-10

Washington:

• Playoffs Begin: October 20 (11-Man)
• Championships: November 16-17

Washington, D.C.:

• Playoffs Begin: November 10
• Championships: To be Determined

West Virginia:

• Playoffs Begin: November 10
• Championships: December 1-2

Wisconsin:

• Playoffs Begin: October 20
• Championships: November 16-17

Wyoming:

• Playoffs Begin: October 27
• Championships: November 10-11

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