The 2026 high school football season is already underway in a few places and is about to explode across the rest of the country. Hawaii got things started on Aug. 3. Several other states followed in mid-August. Most of the nation will be in full swing by the final week of the month.
IMG Academy (Fla.), the No. 1 team in the preseason Super 25, opens its season on Aug. 21. From there the Friday night lights will burn bright from coast to coast. Below is the complete guide to 2026 high school football start dates for all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., along with the current top-ranked team in each state.
2026 High School Football Start Dates by State
| State | Start Date | Top Team |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Thursday, Aug. 20 | Thompson (Alabaster) |
| Alaska | Thursday, Aug. 13 | Soldotna |
| Arizona | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Basha |
| Arkansas | Monday, Aug. 24 | Bryant |
| California | Friday, Aug. 21 | St. John Bosco (Bellflower) |
| Colorado | Thursday, Aug. 20 | Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) |
| Connecticut | Friday, Sept. 11 | Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford) |
| Delaware | Thursday, Sept. 3 | Middletown |
| Florida | Friday, Aug. 21 | IMG Academy (Bradenton) |
| Georgia | Thursday, Aug. 13 | Buford |
| Hawaii | Monday, Aug. 3 | Mililani |
| Idaho | Friday, Aug. 21 | Bishop Kelly (Boise) |
| Illinois | Thursday, Aug. 20 | Mount Carmel (Chicago) |
| Indiana | Friday, Aug. 21 | Brownsburg |
| Iowa | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines) |
| Kansas | Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Manhattan |
| Kentucky | Monday, Aug. 17 | Trinity (Louisville) |
| Louisiana | Thursday, Sept. 3 | Ruston |
| Maine | Friday, Sept. 4 | Thornton Academy (Saco) |
| Maryland | Friday, Sept. 4 | St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) |
| Massachusetts | Thursday, Sept. 10 | Catholic Memorial (West Roxbury) |
| Michigan | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Catholic Central (Novi) |
| Minnesota | Thursday, Sept. 3 | Maple Grove |
| Mississippi | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Tupelo |
| Missouri | Friday, Aug. 28 | Blue Springs South |
| Montana | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Frenchtown |
| Nebraska | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Millard South (Omaha) |
| Nevada | Thursday, Aug. 13 | Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) |
| New Hampshire | Thursday, Sept. 3 | Phillips Exeter Academy |
| New Jersey | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) |
| New Mexico | Monday, Aug. 17 | Cleveland (Rio Rancho) |
| New York | Monday, Aug. 17 | Iona Prep (New Rochelle) |
| North Carolina | Friday, Aug. 21 | Hough (Cornelius) |
| North Dakota | Thursday, Aug. 20 | Kindred |
| Ohio | Monday, Aug. 17 | Anderson (Cincinnati) |
| Oklahoma | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Bixby |
| Oregon | Friday, Aug. 28 | West Linn |
| Pennsylvania | Friday, Aug. 28 | La Salle College (Wyndmoor) |
| Rhode Island | Thursday, Sept. 3 | Bishop Hendricken (Warwick) |
| South Carolina | Friday, Aug. 21 | Dutch Fork |
| South Dakota | Friday, Aug. 21 | Brandon Valley |
| Tennessee | Monday, Aug. 17 | Baylor (Chattanooga) |
| Texas | Thursday, Aug. 27 | Waxahachie |
| Utah | Thursday, Aug. 20 | Orem |
| Vermont | Thursday, Sept. 3 | Middlebury |
| Virginia | Friday, Aug. 28 | St. James Performance Academy (Springfield) |
| Washington | Friday, Sept. 4 | Puyallup |
| West Virginia | Tuesday, Aug. 25 | Martinsburg |
| Wisconsin | Thursday, Aug. 20 | Arrowhead (Hartland) |
| Wyoming | Friday, Aug. 28 | Star Valley (Afton) |
| Washington, D.C. | Saturday, Aug. 22 | St. John’s |
What Stands Out Across the Country
Hawaii once again opens the national season earliest. Georgia, Nevada, and Alaska also got rolling in mid-August. A large cluster of traditional powers — Florida, California, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and others — hit the field between Aug. 17 and Aug. 28.
New England states generally start later, with Connecticut waiting until Sept. 11. That staggered calendar is normal and gives different regions their own early-season identity.
National attention will focus heavily on IMG Academy in Florida, St. John Bosco in California, Bishop Gorman in Nevada, and other perennial contenders. Local rivalries and state title races will dominate conversation everywhere else.
MORE: Best High School Football Team in Every State Entering the Season
How to Follow 2026 High School Football
Most games remain best experienced in person under the Friday night lights. For fans who cannot attend, options continue to grow:
- NFHS Network carries thousands of games nationwide
- Local television and streaming partners in many states
- School district and conference live streams
- Select national broadcasts for high-profile matchups
Check your state’s athletic association website or the NFHS Network for specific broadcast details in your area.
The Season Ahead
High school football still delivers the purest version of the sport for many fans. No transfer portals. No NIL deals dominating the conversation. Just kids, communities, and Friday nights.
The 2026 high school football season is already delivering early results in a handful of states and is about to go nationwide. Mark the date for your state, find your team’s schedule, and get ready. The lights are coming on.
FAQ
When does 2026 high school football start? Hawaii opened the season on Aug. 3. Most states begin between mid-August and early September. Check the full state-by-state list above for exact dates.
Which state starts high school football first in 2026? Hawaii, on Monday, Aug. 3.
What is the top-ranked high school football team nationally for 2026? IMG Academy (Fla.) sits at No. 1 in the preseason Super 25 and opens its season on Aug. 21.
How can I watch high school football games in 2026? The NFHS Network streams thousands of games. Many states also offer local TV or school-based streaming options.