The 2026 NCHSAA 6A football playoffs will bring together some of North Carolina’s larger high schools, featuring a mix of established football powers and programs from growing urban and suburban communities. The classification includes Terry Sanford, Seventy-First, Jacksonville, Northern Nash, T.C. Roberson, Dudley and Kings Mountain.
NC Football News will track the 2026 NCHSAA 6A playoff bracket, including first-round matchups, schedules, scores and results throughout the postseason. The official bracket is scheduled to be released Oct. 31, with first-round games set for Friday, Nov. 6.
Check back for the official East and West brackets, top seeds and opening-round matchups once the playoff field is finalized.
🔄 Last Updated: October 26, 2026 12:27 am
🏈 Explore Other 2026 Brackets
1A | 2A | 3A | 4A | 5A | 6A | 7A | 8A
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🏆 2026 NCHSAA 6A Football Playoff Bracket
MaxPreps interactive bracket will appear here once the 2026 NCHSAA football brackets are finalized on Oct. 31, 2026.
🥇 Defending 6A State Champion: Watauga
Watauga completed a perfect 15-0 season in 2025, defeating Middle Creek 47-25 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill to capture its second state football championship and first since 1978. The Pioneers built a 33-10 halftime lead and pulled away from a Middle Creek team making its first appearance in a state championship game.
Evan Burroughs delivered a remarkable all-around performance in his final high school football game, rushing for three touchdowns, catching another and returning an interception for a score. The Duke baseball signee also finished with 14 receptions for 149 yards and two interceptions, while quarterback Cade Keller completed 22 of 26 passes for 277 yards.
Looking back: View the complete 2025 NCHSAA 6A playoff bracket, scores and results.
📅 2026 NCHSAA Football Playoff Schedule
- Oct. 30 – Final Friday night of the regular season around the state
- Oct. 31 – NCHSAA playoff brackets finalized and released
- Nov. 6 – First round (higher seeds host)
- Nov. 13 – Second round (higher seeds host)
- Nov. 20 – Third round (higher seeds host)
- Nov. 27 – Fourth round (higher seeds host)
- Dec. 4 – Regional finals (higher seeds host)
- Dec. 10-12 – State championships (neutral sites, TBA)
🏈 Related High School Football Playoff Coverage
NCHSAA Playoff Brackets Center | North Carolina High School Scoreboard | NCISAA Playoffs
