Key Dates for the 2026 Georgia High School Football Season
The 2026 season will officially open with regular‑season games on August 12, marking the first chance for teams across the state to take the field after months of preparation.
For the first time in several years the Georgia High School Association will field its largest schools in the 7A division, a move that reflects recent enrollment shifts and promises deeper competition at the top tier.
Fall practice, now conducted in full pads, is scheduled to begin on July 27, giving coaches a crucial window to evaluate talent and install schemes before the first games.
The Georgia Independent Athletic Association and the Georgia Association of Private & Parochial Schools will also begin their campaigns on August 14, with their respective state championships set for November 19‑20 and November 20.
GHSA playoff action is slated to start on November 13, and the association’s championship games will be staged at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium from December 12 through December 14, providing a high‑profile finale for the state’s top teams.
With calendars now set, coaches, players and fans alike are marking their schedules, ready to follow a season that promises new rivalries, historic classifications and the electric atmosphere of a championship weekend in downtown Atlanta.