(6-10-26) The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) approved several significant changes to the state football playoff structure this beginning with the 2026 season.
In a motion approved 10-0 by the Board of Directors, the Florida High School Athletic Association approved a brand new “Open Division” for football.
1. New Open Division Championship
The biggest change is the creation of an eight-team Open Division, featuring the eight highest-rated teams in Florida regardless of classification. These teams will compete for a separate state championship.
The top eight will be decided solely by MaxPreps rankings after the regular season. The top eight teams will then compete in a separate playoff to decide a state champion in the Open Division.
Open Division teams will be placed in two pools. Pool A consists of teams ranked 1, 4, 5, 8, while teams 2, 3, 6 and 7 teams make up Pool B. The first and second place teams in each pool, based on their win-loss record, will advance to the state final four. There are tie breaking procedures in place. Teams will not be allowed to opt out.
The semifinals will be played at The Villages for the Open Division for football, with the championship game in Miami.
2. Fewer Classifications
Traditional football classifications are being reduced from seven classes plus Rural (1A-7A) to:
- Rural
- 1A
- 2A
- 3A
- 4A
- 5A
- 6A
This reduces the number of championship classes from eight to seven.
3. Reclassification Based on Enrollment
For the 2026-27 and 2027-28 cycles, class sizes are:
- 1A: 1–499 students
- 2A: 500–999
- 3A: 1,000–1,499
- 4A: 1,500–1,899
- 5A: 1,900–2,399
- 6A: 2,400 and above
4. Expanded Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT)
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has retained the expanded Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) structure that was introduced in 2025.
The postseason Florida Invitational Tournament for teams that do not qualify for the state playoffs is expanding to 44 teams, from 36 adding more opportunities for postseason play.
Number of Teams
The FIT now includes 44 teams statewide:
- 16 teams in the 1A–3A FIT bracket
- 16 teams in the 4A–7A FIT bracket
- 12 teams in the Rural FIT bracket
This represents an increase from the original 12-team Rural-only format and provides postseason opportunities for 32 additional non-playoff teams in Classes 1A-7A.
How Teams Qualify
- The top 16 teams in each classification continue to qualify for the traditional state playoffs.
- The next-highest ranked teams that miss the state playoffs are eligible for the FIT.
- Participation is optional, with schools able to accept or decline invitations.
Championship Structure
The expanded FIT produces three champions:
- Rural FIT Champion
- 1A–3A FIT Champion
- 4A–7A FIT Champion
Championship games have been staged at The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium, hosted in partnership with The Villages Charter School.
No further expansion beyond the 44-team format has been announced by the FHSAA for the 2026 season.
5. Continued Use of Rankings for Seeding
Playoff seeding will continue to rely heavily on MaxPreps rankings, rather than district champions automatically receiving top seeds.
“MaxPreps computer rankings will be used at the conclusion of the regular season to help create two pools of four teams. The top two teams in each pool advance to a single-elimination tournament. Tie-breaking procedures include head-to-head results, points allowed, and point differential.”
These changes represent the most substantial overhaul of Florida high school football since the adoption of the Metro/Suburban format, with the new Open Division designed to create a true “best-versus-best” championship bracket.
Stateline Sports Network 