A Nationwide Kickoff
The 2026 high school football season is set to begin in August, marking the start of a busy schedule that will see teams from every state and Washington, D.C. take the field. Hawaii will be the first to open its doors on Monday, August 3, kicking off a series of games that will stretch through September.
Among the most anticipated openings is IMG Academy in Florida, the program that topped the USA TODAY Sports preseason Super 25 rankings. The nationally acclaimed squad is slated to begin its campaign on August 21, drawing attention from fans and analysts alike.
Across the country, start dates differ, with Alabama and Colorado both opening on Thursday, August 20, while Arkansas waits until Monday, August 24. States such as New Mexico and New York will begin on Monday, August 17, and California’s schedule places its first games on Friday, August 21.
The spread of kickoff dates reflects a coordinated effort among state athletic associations to balance weather considerations, school calendars, and television windows. Coverage will be anchored by USA TODAY Sports and the NFHS Network, which will provide live streams and analysis throughout the season.