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The AHSAA has announced changes to the championship pathways for fall, winter, and spring sports, following a split between public and private schools. Key decisions include the introduction of a shot clock for basketball and a new schedule for football championships.
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AHSAA pathway to championship changes for fall, winter and spring sports
The Alabama High School Athletic Association met on Wednesday, April 15 for a Central Board of Control meeting to handle business regarding high school athletics in Alabama.
Items like approving a shot clock and mercy rule for the 2026-27 season for boys and girls high school basketball and laying out the schedule for the football and flag football championships in December 2026 all came from the meeting on Wednesday.
After the AHSAA split public and private schools for championship play back in January, the need to work pathways to championships was needed. The private-public split was approved for fall, winter and spring sports for the next reclassification period, and in the private school classes specifically, there's curiosity as to how those might operate.
Flag football went from having two classifications in 2025 before the public-private split to five classifications for the 2026 season.
The changes for the pathway to the championships are really seen in 6A, where it will follow the model of tackle football. Class 6A will consist of four regions, with the top 6 teams in each region advancing to the postseason. Twenty-four teams would make the five-round playoff format, with the top two teams of each region receiving a bye in the first round.
For the first ever private school flag football championship in 2026, it will combine Private A and Private AA with four regions between the two classes. The top two teams will advance to the playoffs, with eight teams rounding out the three-round playoff format.
The AHSAA has implemented new pathways for championships in fall, winter, and spring sports, following a split between public and private schools.
The new shot clock and mercy rule for boys and girls high school basketball will take effect in the 2026-27 season.
The AHSAA has laid out a new schedule for football and flag football championships, set to take place in December 2026.
The split between public and private schools for championship play will impact how the pathways to championships are structured during the next reclassification period.

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One of the changes to pathway to the championships was recommended by the volleyball committee in adding a sub-regional game for the 2026 season. Class 1-5A will all have a sub-regional games. Class 6A, Private A and Private AA will not have a sub-regional game.
For Class 6A, Private A and Private AA, area winners and runners-up will compete in the two super regional tournaments according to a pre-drawn bracket. The first four finishers in the super regional tournament for 1-6A and Private A, will advance to the state tournament. For Private AA, only the top two teams from each super regional tournament will advance to the state tournament.
For the 2026-27 basketball seasons, Class 6A, Private A and Private AA will not have sub-regional games. Two teams will advance to the regional tournaments from each area tournament in 6A, Private A and Private AA. In the Private AA regional tournament, there will only be one round between the area winner and runner-up, with the winner being the regional state qualifier. With another classification being added, it will add another day to the state championships.
The winner and runner-up in 6A and Private A during area play will be placed in a four-team double-elimination bracket for qualifying regional play at designated sites. The winner and runner-up in Private AA will be placed in a four-team double-elimination for qualifying regional play at one site in the north or east, and one site in the south or central.
The difference in baseball comes in how many teams each class will send. Classes 1-5A will send the most with 32 teams to the playoffs, while 6A and Private A will send 16 teams and Private AA will send eight teams to the playoffs. Classes 1-5A will play five rounds of a best two-out-of-three series, while 6A and Private A will play four and Private AA will play three.
Similar to baseball, the biggest differences come in the amount of teams advancing to the playoffs, and how many rounds of sub-state there are.
Classes 4A and 5A will send 32 teams to the playoffs, while classes 1-3A, 6A and Private A will send 16 teams to the playoffs. Private AA will send eight teams to the playoffs. Classes 1-3A, 6A and Private A will have two rounds of sub-state, while Private AA will only have one. Classes 4A and 5A will have three rounds of sub-state.
Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) scores at home as Trinity's Harper Johnson (16) takes the late throw during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Emily Needham (00) pitches against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) is safe at second against Trinity's Marley Sharpless (7) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Trinity's Layla Pelt (1) pitches against Saint James during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) connects with the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) slides safely into second against Trinity's Marley Sharpless (7) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Trinity's Harper Johnson (16) slides safely into second under the tag of Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Trinity's Martha Dubina (10) catches a pop up against Saint James during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Trinity's Emma Rose Meldrum (3) throws out the Saint James runner at first during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Emily Darby (8) hits the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Emily Needham (00) celebrates scoring to runs on a single against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Lily Stanford (7) slides safely into third against Trinity's Emma Rose Meldrum (3) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Mary Olive Maddox (16) hits the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Mary Olive Maddox (16) slides safely into second as Trinity's Martha Dubina (10) tries to get a handle on the ball during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James coach Mark Hall coaches against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) steals second base against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Emily Needham (00) pitches against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Lily Stanford (7) hits the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) slides safely into home plate against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Emily Needham (00) and Sydney Johnston (6) are honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Emily Needham (00) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Saint James' Emily Needham (00) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) scores at home as Trinity's Harper Johnson (16) takes the late throw during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) scores at home as Trinity's Harper Johnson (16) takes the late throw during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Emily Needham (00) pitches against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) is safe at second against Trinity's Marley Sharpless (7) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Trinity's Layla Pelt (1) pitches against Saint James during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) connects with the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) slides safely into second against Trinity's Marley Sharpless (7) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Trinity's Harper Johnson (16) slides safely into second under the tag of Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Trinity's Martha Dubina (10) catches a pop up against Saint James during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Trinity's Emma Rose Meldrum (3) throws out the Saint James runner at first during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Emily Darby (8) hits the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Emily Needham (00) celebrates scoring to runs on a single against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Lily Stanford (7) slides safely into third against Trinity's Emma Rose Meldrum (3) during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Mary Olive Maddox (16) hits the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Mary Olive Maddox (16) slides safely into second as Trinity's Martha Dubina (10) tries to get a handle on the ball during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James coach Mark Hall coaches against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) steals second base against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Emily Needham (00) pitches against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Lily Stanford (7) hits the ball against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Kaitlyn Hudson (12) slides safely into home plate against Trinity during their game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Emily Needham (00) and Sydney Johnston (6) are honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Sydney Johnston (6) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Emily Needham (00) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Saint James' Emily Needham (00) is honored on senior night before the Trinity game on the St. James campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: AHSAA pathway to championships for fall, winter and spring sports