NJSIAA changes Thanksgiving football schedule for state championships

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) announced that all state final football games will be held at MetLife Stadium on the weekend of Nov. 28-29, 2026. This decision complicates scheduling for teams that typically play Thanksgiving Day games, as they now face the prospect of playing twice in four days. NJSIAA executive director Colleen Maguire explained that schools should adapt by utilizing junior varsity players to navigate the tight schedule. The move comes after the record attendance at last season's championship games and aims to provide athletes with a unique experience at an NFL venue. The organization may reassess this arrangement in future years depending on scheduling conflicts with the NFL.

• 6:52 PMYahoo Sports — NJSIAA schedule change puts a squeeze on Thanksgiving football