The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) has unveiled a sweeping revision to its football playoff structure, slated to take effect in 2027.
Under the new system, second‑round pairings will be set by the Ratings Percentage Index rather than the previous predetermined district brackets.
The top‑seeded team will host the eighth‑seeded team, the second will travel to the seventh, and so on, creating a reverse‑order matchup based purely on RPI standings.
The shift follows extensive feedback from member schools and other stakeholders who cited concerns over repeated postseason opponents and the length of travel required under the old format.
By tying the draw to RPI, the association hopes to produce more geographically sensible pairings, trimming mileage and limiting the likelihood of teams meeting multiple times in a single season.
District realignments for 2027 and 2028
The Board of Control has also finalized district alignments for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, prompting a series of moves that will see several programs shift to new districts.
In Class 1A, schools that were slated to travel to Louisville may now head north to the Cincinnati‑area corridor, while Class 2A teams could be paired with opponents from central Kentucky or be sent to Danville, Bardstown or Somerset.
Class 4A programs might find themselves on the road to Louisville, Oldham County or Nelson County instead of the traditional south‑central Kentucky or Paducah sites, and Class 5A teams could be required to make the journey to Louisville for their second‑round contests.
Not all divisions will see change; the Class 1A, 5A and 6A alignments remain identical to the original draft, preserving the existing competitive balance in those brackets.
Geographic implications
The revised matchups will generate a patchwork of travel patterns across the state, with some teams covering hundreds of miles for a single game.
For instance, a Class 2A team from the eastern coalfields could be paired with an opponent in the western part of the state, potentially requiring a multi‑hour bus ride.
Similarly, schools in the western Kentucky region may now host games against teams from the northern part of the state, altering traditional rivalries.
Stakeholder response
Member schools have generally welcomed the prospect of reduced repeat matchups, though some coaches have expressed concern about the unpredictability of travel distances.
The KHSAA plans to publish detailed travel estimates and will monitor the first season of the new format to assess its impact on competitive equity and student‑athlete welfare.