A Six‑Division Structure Takes Shape
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) has released details of its new six‑division format for the 2026 high school football season, a move that will affect 22 teams in most divisions and 24 teams in Class S. The realignment, which officially begins with regular‑season play on September 10‑12, reflects a strategic effort to balance competition across the state’s diverse programs.
Among the most notable shifts, Berlin, the reigning 2025 Class M champion, will drop to Class SS, while Ansonia, the 2024 Class S titleholder, climbs up to Class SS. St. Joseph, the 2024 Class M champion, is set to move into Class MM, and Newtown will transition from Class L to Class MM. These changes illustrate a dynamic redistribution of talent and resources across the divisions.
Additional realignments include Bunnell and Masuk moving from Class MM to Class M, and Northwest Catholic, the 2025 Class S runner‑up, advancing to Class M. Meanwhile, Norwalk will return to the elite Class LL after a stint in Class L, and Notre Dame‑West Haven will step down to Class L. Each of these moves reflects the CIAC’s effort to preserve competitive equity while accommodating fluctuating enrollment figures.
The postseason schedule is equally structured: quarterfinal games will commence on December 1, followed by semifinals on December 6, and the championship finals will be decided on December 12. This compressed timeline promises a high‑stakes finish to the season, with title games set to crown champions across all six divisions within a single weekend.
Class S stands out as the largest division, hosting 24 teams, while every other division will feature 22 squads. This disparity underscores the CIAC’s acknowledgment of the unique competitive landscape in the smallest division, where participation levels differ markedly from the others.