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2026 NCHSAA Football Playoffs: Final Brackets, Matchups and Schedule

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2026 NCHSAA football playoffs final brackets released for all eight classifications, with first-round games November 6

Updated Oct. 31, 2026: The NCHSAA has finalized the football playoff brackets for all eight classifications.

The final 2026 NCHSAA football playoff brackets lay out first-round matchups and byes for all eight classifications, with the postseason scheduled to begin Friday, Nov. 6.

The N.C. High School Athletic Association’s final release confirms the revised 3A East bracket. Greene Central is now paired with Wake Prep, while Kinston is paired with Northwood, reversing the opponents assigned to those two local teams in the initial preliminary release.

Below are the statewide East and West pairings, first-round byes and playoff schedule. The final field retains the seeds, opponents and regional assignments in the association’s 10:35 a.m. updated preliminary release.

View the official final football brackets for all eight classifications.

Final 3A East bracket confirms revised pairings

No. 17 Greene Central will travel to No. 16 Wake Prep in the first round. No. 18 Kinston will visit No. 15 Northwood. Greene Central’s potential second-round opponent remains top-seeded Northeastern, while a Kinston win would send the Vikings to No. 2 Whiteville.

The revised 3A East field also lists Trinity at No. 24, visiting No. 9 Wallace-Rose Hill. South Lenoir remains No. 22 and will travel to No. 11 Providence Grove.

2026 NCHSAA football playoff schedule

  • First round: Friday, Nov. 6.
  • Second round: Friday, Nov. 13.
  • Third round: Friday, Nov. 20.
  • Fourth round for 2A–7A; regional finals for 1A and 8A: Friday, Nov. 27.
  • Regional finals for 2A–7A: Friday, Dec. 4.
  • State championships: Dec. 10–12.

The higher seed hosts through the regional finals. State championship games are scheduled at UNC’s Kenan Stadium, Campbell’s Barker-Lane Stadium and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Helen & Leonard Moretz Stadium. Classification assignments for those championship sites will be finalized after the regional contests. Official championship schedule.

No. 1 seeds in each classification

  • 1A: East, Northside-Pinetown; West, Chatham Central.
  • 2A: East, Tarboro; West, Corvian Community School.
  • 3A: East, Northeastern; West, North Stanly.
  • 4A: East, East Duplin; West, Hibriten.
  • 5A: East, Southeast Alamance; West, Crest.
  • 6A: East, J.H. Rose; West, Asheville.
  • 7A: East, Cleveland; West, Weddington.
  • 8A: East, Millbrook; West, Hough.

Complete first-round matchups and byes

The visiting team is listed first in each matchup. Numbers are regional seeds, not statewide rankings. First-round games are scheduled for Nov. 6; kickoff times are not included in the final bracket document. Teams with byes begin play Nov. 13.

The 1A field gives seeds 1–5 in each region a bye. In 2A, seeds 1–10 in each region have byes. Seeds 1–8 receive byes in 3A–7A, and seeds 1–4 receive byes in 8A.

Jump to: 1A | 2A | 3A | 4A | 5A | 6A | 7A | 8A

1A football playoff brackets

1A East

2026 NCHSAA football 1A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
1A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 9 Washington County at No. 8 Columbia
  • No. 11 Jones Senior at No. 6 KIPP Pride
  • No. 10 Weldon at No. 7 Rocky Mount Preparatory School

First-round byes: No. 1 Northside-Pinetown; No. 2 Hobgood Charter School; No. 3 Sallie B. Howard; No. 4 North Edgecombe; No. 5 Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy.

1A West

2026 NCHSAA football 1A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
1A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 9 Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy at No. 8 College Prep and Leadership Academy
  • No. 11 North Stokes at No. 6 South Davidson
  • No. 10 Andrews at No. 7 Rosman

First-round byes: No. 1 Chatham Central; No. 2 Wilson Preparatory Academy; No. 3 Robbinsville; No. 4 Winston-Salem Prep; No. 5 East Columbus.

2A football playoff brackets

2A East

2026 NCHSAA football 2A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
2A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Pamlico County at No. 16 Rosewood
  • No. 21 American Leadership Academy Johnston at No. 12 Camden County
  • No. 20 Lejeune at No. 13 Northwest Halifax
  • No. 19 Union at No. 14 East Carteret
  • No. 22 TMSA Triangle at No. 11 Bertie
  • No. 18 Northampton County at No. 15 Hobbton

First-round byes: No. 1 Tarboro; No. 2 Holmes; No. 3 Warren County; No. 4 Lakewood; No. 5 Manteo; No. 6 East Bladen; No. 7 Southside; No. 8 Gates County Senior; No. 9 North Duplin; No. 10 West Columbus.

2A West

2026 NCHSAA football 2A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
2A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Avery County at No. 16 Langtree Charter Academy
  • No. 21 Elkin at No. 12 Cherryville
  • No. 20 Bradford Preparatory School at No. 13 Albemarle
  • No. 19 South Stanly at No. 14 South Stokes
  • No. 22 Hayesville at No. 11 Cherokee
  • No. 18 Bishop McGuinness Catholic at No. 15 Swain County

First-round byes: No. 1 Corvian Community School; No. 2 Starmount; No. 3 Murphy; No. 4 Community School of Davidson; No. 5 Alleghany; No. 6 North Rowan; No. 7 Mountain Island Charter School; No. 8 East Wilkes; No. 9 Christ the King Catholic; No. 10 Mitchell.

3A football playoff brackets

3A East

2026 NCHSAA football 3A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
3A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Greene Central at No. 16 Wake Prep
  • No. 24 Trinity at No. 9 Wallace-Rose Hill
  • No. 21 McMichael at No. 12 South Columbus
  • No. 20 Ayden-Grifton at No. 13 Louisburg Magnet
  • No. 19 Pender at No. 14 Princeton
  • No. 22 South Lenoir at No. 11 Providence Grove
  • No. 23 Heide Trask at No. 10 Farmville Central
  • No. 18 Kinston at No. 15 Northwood

First-round byes: No. 1 Northeastern; No. 2 Whiteville; No. 3 Midway; No. 4 James Kenan; No. 5 Martin County; No. 6 Eastern Randolph; No. 7 Hertford County; No. 8 Pasquotank County.

3A West

2026 NCHSAA football 3A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
3A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Pine Lake Prep at No. 16 North Wilkes
  • No. 24 Bessemer City at No. 9 Mountain Heritage
  • No. 21 East Davidson at No. 12 West Davidson
  • No. 20 Polk County at No. 13 Owen
  • No. 19 Wheatmore at No. 14 East Surry
  • No. 22 Patton at No. 11 Union Academy
  • No. 23 Draughn at No. 10 West Wilkes
  • No. 18 West Lincoln at No. 15 East Rutherford

First-round byes: No. 1 North Stanly; No. 2 Shelby; No. 3 Hendersonville; No. 4 Walkertown; No. 5 Thomasville; No. 6 Mount Airy; No. 7 CHASE; No. 8 Lincolnton.

4A football playoff brackets

4A East

2026 NCHSAA football 4A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
4A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Eastern Wayne at No. 16 Washington
  • No. 24 Carver at No. 9 Fairmont
  • No. 21 Cummings at No. 12 Randleman
  • No. 20 Jordan-Matthews at No. 13 Ledford
  • No. 19 Southwest Onslow at No. 14 North Pitt
  • No. 22 Central Davidson at No. 11 Nash Central
  • No. 23 Lexington at No. 10 Roanoke Rapids
  • No. 18 Anson at No. 15 Bunn

First-round byes: No. 1 East Duplin; No. 2 T.W. Andrews; No. 3 Clinton; No. 4 West Craven; No. 5 Reidsville; No. 6 Southwest Edgecombe; No. 7 Morehead; No. 8 Southwestern Randolph.

4A West

2026 NCHSAA football 4A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
4A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 North Surry at No. 16 East Burke
  • No. 24 Lincoln Charter School at No. 9 Rutherford-Spindale Central
  • No. 21 Bandys at No. 12 Wilkes Central
  • No. 20 East Gaston at No. 13 Bunker Hill
  • No. 19 Salisbury at No. 14 West Stanly
  • No. 22 Forbush at No. 11 South Rowan
  • No. 23 Fred T. Foard at No. 10 Pisgah
  • No. 18 Newton-Conover at No. 15 Maiden

First-round byes: No. 1 Hibriten; No. 2 Tuscola; No. 3 West Iredell; No. 4 Burns; No. 5 Mount Pleasant; No. 6 West Stokes; No. 7 Stuart Cramer; No. 8 Lake Norman Charter School.

5A football playoff brackets

5A East

2026 NCHSAA football 5A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
5A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Currituck at No. 16 West Carteret
  • No. 24 C.B. Aycock at No. 9 Rocky Mount
  • No. 21 South Brunswick at No. 12 South Granville
  • No. 20 Southern Wayne at No. 13 Western Alamance
  • No. 19 J.F. Webb at No. 14 Montgomery Central
  • No. 22 Person at No. 11 St. Pauls
  • No. 23 Richlands at No. 10 Orange
  • No. 18 Rockingham County at No. 15 Southern Nash

First-round byes: No. 1 Southeast Alamance; No. 2 Northside-Jacksonville; No. 3 Hunt; No. 4 Croatan; No. 5 Seaforth; No. 6 Fike; No. 7 Eastern Alamance; No. 8 Havelock.

5A West

2026 NCHSAA football 5A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
5A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Erwin at No. 16 Parkwood
  • No. 24 Hunter Huss at No. 9 Hickory
  • No. 21 North Lincoln at No. 12 Northwest Cabarrus
  • No. 20 North Buncombe at No. 13 Smoky Mountain
  • No. 19 East Rowan at No. 14 North Davidson
  • No. 22 North Henderson at No. 11 Enka
  • No. 23 Forestview at No. 10 Forest Hills
  • No. 18 Carson at No. 15 West Henderson

First-round byes: No. 1 Crest; No. 2 Franklin; No. 3 Jay M. Robinson; No. 4 South Point; No. 5 Monroe; No. 6 West Rowan; No. 7 East Lincoln; No. 8 Oak Grove.

6A football playoff brackets

6A East

2026 NCHSAA football 6A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
6A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Felton Grove at No. 16 South Johnston
  • No. 24 Lee County at No. 9 Seventy-First
  • No. 21 Terry Sanford at No. 12 Franklinton
  • No. 20 White Oak at No. 13 Swansboro
  • No. 19 West Johnston at No. 14 Westover
  • No. 22 Western Harnett at No. 11 Harnett Central
  • No. 23 South View at No. 10 Triton
  • No. 18 Northern Durham at No. 15 Gray’s Creek

First-round byes: No. 1 J.H. Rose; No. 2 Jacksonville; No. 3 Northern Nash; No. 4 Scotland; No. 5 Union Pines; No. 6 Southern Alamance; No. 7 Williams; No. 8 Middle Creek.

6A West

2026 NCHSAA football 6A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
6A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Statesville at No. 16 A.C. Reynolds
  • No. 24 St. Stephens at No. 9 Sun Valley
  • No. 21 Central Cabarrus at No. 12 Ashbrook
  • No. 20 Olympic at No. 13 Watauga
  • No. 19 Eastern Guilford at No. 14 Glenn
  • No. 22 South Caldwell at No. 11 Northern Guilford
  • No. 23 Piedmont at No. 10 Charlotte Catholic
  • No. 18 Phillip O. Berry Academy of Tech at No. 15 Ragsdale

First-round byes: No. 1 Asheville; No. 2 T.C. Roberson; No. 3 Asheboro; No. 4 Kings Mountain; No. 5 Mount Tabor; No. 6 Alexander Central; No. 7 Freedom; No. 8 Dudley.

7A football playoff brackets

7A East

2026 NCHSAA football 7A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
7A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Topsail at No. 16 Fuquay-Varina
  • No. 24 East Wake at No. 9 D.H. Conley
  • No. 21 Pine Forest at No. 12 Ashley
  • No. 20 Overhills at No. 13 Holly Springs
  • No. 19 Sanderson at No. 14 South Central
  • No. 22 South Garner at No. 11 Hillside
  • No. 23 New Hanover at No. 10 Southeast Raleigh
  • No. 18 North Brunswick at No. 15 Heritage

First-round byes: No. 1 Cleveland; No. 2 Garner Magnet; No. 3 Clayton; No. 4 Southern Durham; No. 5 New Bern; No. 6 Wake Forest; No. 7 Cardinal Gibbons; No. 8 Cape Fear.

7A West

2026 NCHSAA football 7A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
7A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 17 Porter Ridge at No. 16 Hopewell
  • No. 24 Chapel Hill at No. 9 Hickory Ridge
  • No. 21 Parkland at No. 12 West Cabarrus
  • No. 20 Reynolds at No. 13 Jack Britt
  • No. 19 Ballantyne Ridge at No. 14 Richmond Senior
  • No. 22 South Iredell at No. 11 Mooresville
  • No. 23 Lumberton at No. 10 Davie County
  • No. 18 Independence at No. 15 Butler

First-round byes: No. 1 Weddington; No. 2 Grimsley; No. 3 Lake Norman; No. 4 Reagan; No. 5 A.L. Brown; No. 6 Marvin Ridge; No. 7 Page; No. 8 East Forsyth.

8A football playoff brackets

8A East

2026 NCHSAA football 8A East playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
8A East playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 9 Laney at No. 8 Panther Creek
  • No. 12 Willow Spring at No. 5 Green Hope
  • No. 11 Wakefield at No. 6 Jordan
  • No. 10 Broughton at No. 7 Leesville Road

First-round byes: No. 1 Millbrook; No. 2 Apex Friendship; No. 3 Hoggard; No. 4 Rolesville.

8A West

2026 NCHSAA football 8A West playoff bracket showing first- and second-round matchups
8A West playoff bracket. Tap or click the image to view full size.
  • No. 9 Ardrey Kell at No. 8 Palisades
  • No. 12 South Mecklenburg at No. 5 Myers Park
  • No. 11 Providence at No. 6 Pinecrest
  • No. 10 Hoke County at No. 7 West Charlotte

First-round byes: No. 1 Hough; No. 2 Chambers; No. 3 Mallard Creek; No. 4 West Forsyth.

Local Neuse News Sports teams in the football playoffs

Nine teams in the Neuse News Sports coverage area appear in the final field. Rosewood is the only one assigned a Nov. 6 home game, while East Columbus has a first-round bye in the 1A West.

  • 1A East: No. 11 Jones Senior at No. 6 KIPP Pride. The winner faces No. 3 Sallie B. Howard on Nov. 13.
  • 1A West: No. 5 East Columbus has a bye and will open Nov. 13 at No. 4 Winston-Salem Prep, which also has a bye.
  • 2A East: No. 17 Pamlico County at No. 16 Rosewood. The winner travels to No. 1 Tarboro.
  • 3A East: No. 17 Greene Central at No. 16 Wake Prep. The winner travels to No. 1 Northeastern.
  • 3A East: No. 18 Kinston at No. 15 Northwood. The winner travels to No. 2 Whiteville.
  • 3A East: No. 22 South Lenoir at No. 11 Providence Grove. The winner visits No. 6 Eastern Randolph.
  • 4A East: No. 17 Eastern Wayne at No. 16 Washington. The winner travels to No. 1 East Duplin.
  • 5A East: No. 24 C.B. Aycock at No. 9 Rocky Mount. The winner visits No. 8 Havelock.
  • 5A East: No. 20 Southern Wayne at No. 13 Western Alamance. The winner visits No. 4 Croatan.

Goldsboro and North Lenoir do not appear in the final brackets.

Are the 2026 NCHSAA football brackets final?

Yes. The NCHSAA announced finalized brackets on Oct. 31. Its championship page links the official final PDF and says interactive MaxPreps brackets will be posted soon. NCHSAA’s bracket announcements.