UIL Shakes Up 2026 Football Championships: New Schedule Revealed
2026 Texas High School Football State Championships: New Schedule Announced!
The University Interscholastic League (UIL)—the group that organizes sports and academic contests for Texas public schools—just released the official game schedule for the 2026 Football State Championships. The big games will once again take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (home of the Dallas Cowboys) from December 16–19, 2026.
While the tradition of crowning 12 state champions over four days continues, the daily lineup has been shuffled for the first time since the single-site format began in 2010. Here’s everything you need to know, explained simply.
What Is the UIL Football State Championship?
Think of it as the Super Bowl for Texas high school football—times twelve!
- Texas schools are grouped into six "Classes" (1A through 6A) based on how many students they have. 1A schools are the smallest; 6A schools are the largest.
- Most classes are split into Division I (larger schools in that class) and Division II (smaller schools in that class).
- Class 1A plays six-man football (fewer players on the field) because their schools are very small.
- Teams fight through playoffs to reach the state semifinals, then the state championship.
Big Changes for 2026
The weekend still features 12 championship games in 4 days, but the order of games has changed:
| Day | What’s New? |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Mostly the same. 1A six-man games start the party; 2A Division II still plays at 7 p.m. |
| Thursday | Major shuffle! 3A Division II now opens the day at 11 a.m. (used to be 2A Division I). 2A Division I moves to the 3 p.m. slot. 3A Division I stays at 7 p.m. |
| Friday | First time ever a Class 6A championship game is played on Friday! The day features all Division II titles for 4A, 5A, and 6A. |
| Saturday | Mirrors Friday but for Division I titles (4A, 5A, 6A). The 6A Division I game still closes the entire season at 7 p.m. |
Why does this matter?
In the past, Class 4A schools avoided playing semifinal games on Saturdays because their state finals were usually on Fridays. Now that 4A Division I plays its final on Saturday, those schools can schedule semifinals on Saturday without a quick turnaround. It gives coaches and players more flexibility!
Full Day-by-Day Schedule (All Times Central)
Wednesday, December 16
- 11:00 a.m. — Class 1A Division II (Six-Man)
- 2:00 p.m. — Class 1A Division I (Six-Man)
- 7:00 p.m. — Class 2A Division II
Thursday, December 17
- 11:00 a.m. — Class 3A Division II
- 3:00 p.m. — Class 2A Division I
- 7:00 p.m. — Class 3A Division I
Friday, December 18 (All Division II)
- 11:00 a.m. — Class 5A Division II
- 3:00 p.m. — Class 4A Division II
- 7:00 p.m. — Class 6A Division II First 6A game on Friday!
Saturday, December 19 (All Division I)
- 11:00 a.m. — Class 5A Division I
- 3:00 p.m. — Class 4A Division I
- 7:00 p.m. — Class 6A Division I Season Finale!
Why These Changes Are a Win for Everyone
- Fairness & Rest: Spreading the largest classifications (4A, 5A, 6A) across two days—Division II on Friday, Division I on Saturday—gives teams more recovery time.
- 4A Flexibility: 4A Division I schools no longer have to avoid Saturday semifinals.
- Prime-Time Showcases: Each day ends with a marquee matchup under the lights (7 p.m. kickoffs).
- Historic First: A Class 6A championship on Friday is brand-new territory for Texas high school football.
IMPORTANT POINT
All kickoff times are in Central Time. If you’re traveling from another time zone, plan accordingly!
Summary
The 2026 UIL Football State Championships keep the beloved tradition of 12 title games in 4 days at AT&T Stadium—but with a fresh, smarter schedule. Thursday gets a new lineup, Friday welcomes its first-ever 6A final, and Saturday becomes an all-Division-I showcase. The changes help schools (especially 4A) plan better and give fans a thrilling, well-paced championship week. Mark your calendars for December 16–19, 2026—Texas high school football’s biggest week just got even better!
FAQ
1. What does "Division I" and "Division II" mean?
Within each Class (1A–6A), schools are split by enrollment size. Division I = larger schools in that class; Division II = smaller schools in that class. It keeps matchups fair.
2. Why does Class 1A play six-man football?
Class 1A schools are very small (often fewer than 100 students). Six-man football uses a smaller field and fewer players so these schools can still field competitive teams.
3. Has the championship always been at AT&T Stadium?
Since 2010, yes. Before that, finals were held at various college stadiums across Texas. The single-site format at "Jerry World" turned the finals into a festival-like event.
4. Can fans attend all games with one ticket?
Typically, each session (day) requires a separate ticket. Check the UIL website closer to December 2026 for ticket packages and pricing.
5. Where can I find updates if the schedule changes?
The official source is the UIL website (uiltexas.org) and their social media channels. Local sports media (like Texas Football magazine) will also post updates.
Go cheer on your team—see you in Arlington!