AHSAA approves reclassification system for 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control approved a classification system for championship play for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years that includes a basic plan which creates six classifications for public school members and two classifications for its private (independent) school members. The seven-class system, which was added in 2014-15, will no longer be in effect.

The CBOC reorganized the AHSAA’s classification system creating an opportunity for more championships being awarded in the organization’s history. It also removed the 1.35 multiplier assessed to private school members since 1999 and removed the competitive balance factor added to private school teams since 2018.

“The landscape of education-based athletics in Alabama is changing, and the AHSAA must continue to adapt,” said Harmon. “After careful review – and after listening to our public and private school members – the Central Board determined that now is an appropriate time to restructure championship play, resulting in restructured championships for public and private schools. This model will be implemented for the next two years.”

While public and private school teams will be competing in different divisions for state championships, all member schools will have the opportunity to schedule and compete against all member schools.

Harmon added, “The Central Board has approved a championship alignment model that applies only to post-season play. Its purpose is to expand opportunity and strengthen the overall championship experience for student-athletes across Alabama. All championships will be played together at our championship venues.

“The Alabama High School Athletic Association remains one unified association serving all its member schools. Public and private schools will continue to compete against one another throughout the regular season.”

The CBOC also approved the AHSAA’s largest classification, Class 6A since Class 7A was removed, to include the 32 largest schools in the AHSAA. The CBOC is studying a plan for Class 6A that could see more teams advance to the AHSAA state football playoffs and are studying adding a sub-regional round in the state volleyball playoffs similar to the basketball playoffs prior to the Super Regionals.

In accordance with the AHSAA constitution and by-laws, the AHSAA Central Board of Control manages championship play and classification. Member schools are reclassified every two years. The high schools are currently divided into seven classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A) for competition in championship programs.

Classification is based on Average Daily Membership (ADM) figures furnished by the State Department of Education for public schools for grades 9 through 11 plus eighth-grade hold-back students. Member private schools report that same data directly to the AHSAA. This accounting process was followed by AHSAA private school members as well The 2026-27 and 2027-28 classification breakdown for each classification is as follows: Class 6A (32); Class 5A (64); Class 4A (66); Class 3A (66); Class 2A (65); Class 1A (69); Private Class Double A (17); and Private Class Single A (43). Two associate members are also among the AHSAA’s member public schools and one private school associate member for a total of 425 high schools.

Region, area or section alignments were also released for fall sports (football, volleyball, flag football, cross country, and swimming/diving), which completed championship play in the fall semester for the current school year. The realignment was based on the number of schools declaring to participate in each sport for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. Girls’ Flag Football, beginning its third year as a championship sport, is expanding from two divisions to three public school divisions and one private school division.

Alignments for winter and spring sports will be determined following completion of those championship seasons.

While most alignments are for six public school classes and two private school classes, some sports programs may include two or more classes in a division. The school reclassification and alignments for each sport approved Friday can be found online on the AHSAA website at the following link: Reclassification, according to the AHSAA Constitution and By-Laws, is conducted every two years by the AHSAA Central Board of Control.

“More than 175,000 student-athletes are expected to participate in AHSAA sports activities during the upcoming classification period,” AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon.

The 2026-27 and 2027-28 football alignment places the 32 largest high schools in Class 6A; 64 in Class 5A; 64 in Class 4A; 64 in Class 3A; 63 in Class 2A; 63 in Class 1A; 16 in Private Double A; and 28 in Private Single A.

“Through multiple meetings with our private school members, they expressed a desire for greater financial flexibility,” said Harmon. “This model directly addresses those concerns while maintaining fair play for all. Because postseason competition will follow restructured pathways, we are now able toward removing financial barriers for private school eligibility.

“Funds from the Choose Act, Accountability Act, tuition assistance, teacher reductions, and scholarships will no long impact athletic eligibility. Private school members also voiced their desire to remove the 1.35 multiplier and competitive balance adjustments. Private schools will now be classified strictly on enrollment.”

Harmon said the AHSAA plans to establish a Private School Headmaster and Principal Committee modeled after the AHSAA’s current Superintendents Committee and will designate an existing or new Assistant Director to serve as Private School Director of Championships.”

He also expressed his appreciation to the Central Board and AHSAA staff for their dedicated effort and time put in and the recommendations they made. “As always, it was a difficult job, but everyone worked together to find the best solution as we move forward. We believe this is a strong plan, but as with every cycle, we will listen to our membership and make adjustments as needed.”

Central Board of Control president Terry Curtis added, “I want to thank the Central Board of Control’s tireless efforts. I know they did what they knew was right for kids.”

The reclassification and alignment data for each sport can be found on the AHSAA website at www.ahsaa.com/ Schools/2026-2028-Classification-Alignments.