Alabama High School Athletic Association finalizes Winter and Spring sports alignments for 2026-28

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Central Board of Control has finalized Winter and Spring sports alignments for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, putting the finishing touches on a major reclassification cycle announced earlier this year.

The new format shifts Alabama high school athletics away from the seven-class system used since 2014-15. Beginning in 2026-27, public schools will compete across six classifications, while private schools will be divided into two separate classes. The postseason will also change, with public and private schools competing for different state championships, though all AHSAA members can still schedule regular-season games against any other member school.

Two long-standing policies affecting private schools have been removed. The 1.35 enrollment multiplier, in place since 1999, is gone, along with the competitive balance factor adopted in 2018.

The updated structure places the 32 largest schools in Class 6A. Classes 5A, 4A, and 3A will each include 64 schools, while Classes 2A and 1A will have 63 apiece. Private Double-A will feature 16 schools, and Private Single-A will include 28.

Winter sports alignments include basketball, bowling, indoor track, and wrestling, while spring sports alignments cover tennis, golf, soccer, outdoor track & field, softball, and baseball.

Below is where each team covered by the RadioAlabama Sports family of networks will compete for winter and spring competition:

Class 1A, Area 10

Alabama School for the Deaf
Fayetteville
Ragland
Winterboro

Class 2A, Area 7

B.B. Comer
Vincent
Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School (basketball only)
Midfield (not in softball)
Thorsby (softball only)

Class 3A, Area 6

Handley
Childersburg
Munford
Talladega

Class 4A, Area 9

Moody
Central-Clay
Shelby County
Sylacauga

Class 5A, Area 4

Benjamin Russell
Russell County
Stanhope Elmore
Wetumpka

Class 6A, Area 4

Auburn
Central-Phenix City
Opelika
Smiths Station

Private AA, Area 2

Glenwood Academy
Lee-Scott Academy
Houston Academy
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School