Title contenders return for 2026
As the 2026 campaign approaches, the CIAC has confirmed that the four teams that captured state titles in 2025 will once again be the teams to beat. Staples, Simsbury, Tolland and Somers, who won in Classes LL, L, M and S respectively, are slated to defend their crowns, while newcomers Notre Dame‑West Haven and Xavier have been reassigned to the elite Class LL, promising fresh rivalries from the outset.
Class breakdown and realignment
The structure of the competition reflects the diversity of school sizes across the state. Class LL now houses 41 programs, all enrolling at least 606 boys, with one co‑op team included. Class L contains 43 squads with enrollments between 392 and 605, while Class M also boasts 43 teams, this time with student bodies ranging from 264 to 391.
The smallest division, Class S, is the most populous with 49 programs, each limited to 263 participants, and notably includes Gilbert, the only school that has chosen to forgo tournament eligibility, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming season.
Season schedule and tournament
The regular season is scheduled to begin on September 8 and will run through early November, culminating in a tournament that starts on November 4 and wraps up on November 21‑22. This compressed timeline sets the stage for a rapid succession of matches that will determine the next generation of champions.