The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is introducing a new Open Division playoff format for several team sports, starting in the 2026-27 school year. This format will feature the top eight teams based on MaxPreps statewide rankings, competing in a two-bracket round-robin setup before transitioning to a single-elimination tournament. The implementation will include sports such as football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball, with a scheduled FHSAA Board of Directors meeting set for June 7-8 to finalize the proposal.

By the Numbers
  • Eight teams will qualify for the Open Division based on MaxPreps rankings.
  • Teams will compete in two four-team brackets, guaranteeing at least three postseason games for each.
Yes, But

While there is consideration for including a human oversight committee to ensure top teams participate, no such element is currently outlined in the proposed agenda.

State of Play
  • The proposal could be controversial, particularly in football, due to the geographical concentration of traditional powerhouse teams in South Florida.
  • The FHSAA previously voted to adopt MaxPreps rankings for playoff seeding instead of its own power rankings.
What's Next

The FHSAA Board of Directors will meet to discuss and potentially approve the new playoff format, with detailed planning to follow should it be adopted.

Bottom Line

The new Open Division format seeks to enhance competition and fairness in Florida high school sports but faces scrutiny over the geographical distribution of competing teams, particularly in high-stakes sports like football.