IHSA football playoffs: What you need to know ahead of the bracket selections for 2026

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football playoffs will commence with 384 high school teams in Illinois, who will determine their opening match schedules on October 17. As the postseason unfolds, 287 teams have earned berths through conference championships or by winning four or more games, leaving 154 teams vying for the remaining 97 spots.

The final 97 playoff teams are those who win their fourth game on the last weekend, plus remaining three-win teams with the highest playoff points. Playoff points are calculated by adding the number of victories by the nine teams on a team's schedule, with a higher number indicating a tougher schedule and a greater likelihood of making the field.

Unlike polls and weekly playoff outlooks, a school's classification is determined solely by its football enrollment, adjusted for enrollment size, playing up, and success adjustments. For the six smallest classes (1A through 6A), the IHSA divides each 48-team field into 24-team geographical halves, with the top seeds receiving an Opening Round bye.

In larger classes, the top 16 seeds also receive a bye. The remaining teams are paired in a bracket system, with ties broken by head-to-head results and random selection by computer. The 2026 IHSA football playoffs will take place at Hancock Stadium in Normal, with the 1A through 4A title games on Friday, November 27, and the four largest class title games on Saturday, November 28.