FHSAA approves Open Division format for high school football playoffs

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 2:17 PM

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

FHSAA approves Open Division format for high school football playoffs
Summary

The Florida High School Athletic Association's Board of Directors approved the Open Division format on June 9, which will be implemented for the upcoming season. This format allows the top eight teams in the MaxPreps statewide rankings to compete for the title in a round-robin structure. If it had been in place during the 2025 season, it could have altered the playoff outcomes significantly, particularly impacting teams like Miami Northwestern and St. Thomas Aquinas. The Open Division aims to enhance competition among top-ranked teams.

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By the Numbers
  • Open Division takes top eight teams based on MaxPreps rankings.
  • Miami Northwestern and St. Thomas Aquinas would face different playoff scenarios.
  • Format features two pools for round-robin competition.
  • Implementation begins this fall.
Latest Updates
  • 2:17 PMYahoo SportsFHSAA football Open Division would have turned 2025 playoffs upside down
What they're saying
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Three 2025 FHSAA state champions would have been in the new eight-team Open Division, leaving the state with very different playoff outcomes.

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