The 2026 NCHSAA 8A football playoffs will feature North Carolina’s largest high schools competing for a state championship. Known as the “Big 32,” the classification includes powerhouse programs such as defending champion Hough, along with Mallard Creek, West Charlotte, Rolesville, Millbrook, Hoggard and West Forsyth.
Unlike the other seven classifications, 8A has just 32 member schools, with a 24-team playoff field divided into 12 teams in the East and 12 in the West. The top four seeds in each region receive first-round byes, while seeds 5 through 12 compete in the opening round.
NC Football News will track the 2026 NCHSAA 8A playoff bracket, including 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 field is finalized.
🔄 Last Updated: October 26, 2026 12:55 am
🏈 Explore Other 2026 Brackets
1A | 2A | 3A | 4A | 5A | 6A | 7A | 8A
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🏆 2026 NCHSAA 8A Football Playoff Bracket
MaxPreps interactive bracket will appear here once the 2026 NCHSAA football brackets are finalized on Oct. 31, 2026.
🥇 Defending 8A State Champion: Hough
Hough completed a perfect 14-0 season in 2025, defeating Millbrook 21-0 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill to capture the inaugural NCHSAA 8A football championship and the first state title in school history. The Huskies’ dominant defense recorded its sixth shutout of the season, holding Millbrook to just 24 rushing yards.
Championship game MVP Ethan Royal threw for 141 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 85 yards and two more scores, including a 74-yard touchdown run. Hough led just 7-0 entering the fourth quarter before pulling away to complete its historic season.
Looking back: View the complete 2025 NCHSAA 8A 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
