The 2026 NCHSAA 1A football playoffs will bring together some of North Carolina’s smallest high school football programs in pursuit of a state championship.
NC Football News will track the 2026 NCHSAA 1A 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 1:06 am
🏈 Explore Other 2026 Brackets
1A | 2A | 3A | 4A | 5A | 6A | 7A | 8A
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🏆 2026 NCHSAA 1A Football Playoff Bracket
MaxPreps interactive bracket will appear here once the 2026 NCHSAA football brackets are finalized on Oct. 31, 2026.
🥇 Defending 1A State Champion: Wilson Prep
Wilson Prep captured its first football state championship in dramatic fashion on Dec. 11, 2025, edging Robbinsville 9-8 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Senior Ethan Nelson kicked a 28-yard field goal with 25 seconds remaining to deliver the victory and make Wilson Prep the first public charter school to win an NCHSAA football state title.
Championship game MVP Travon Usher rushed for 130 yards and recorded 17 tackles while playing with a broken foot.
Looking back: View the complete 2025 NCHSAA 1A 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
