The Georgia High School Association announced a revised schedule for the 2026 state championships, separating football and flag football onto different days to better accommodate the sport’s expanding popularity.
Separate days for football and flag football
Football will now be contested over two consecutive days in December, with the championship games set for December 15 and 16. The week preceding those dates will host the flag football finals on a single day, giving the growing girls’ flag football division its own spotlight.
The adjustment comes after the association added a fifth division for girls flag football and responded to a request from Mercedes Benz Stadium, which wants to highlight the sport’s rising profile. Marvin James, a GHSA spokesperson, confirmed the changes in an email to the Athens Banner-Herald.
Playoff timeline
The broader playoff timeline stretches from November 13 through December 4, ensuring a compact but comprehensive conclusion to the season. This structure reflects a deliberate effort to balance tradition with the evolving interests of student‑athletes as girls flag football gains traction across the state.