The first details about the playoff structure for N.C. High School Athletic Association sports in the upcoming eight-classification realignment have been released.

The NCHSAA Board of Directors has approved a proposal from the Bylaw Committee that sets the number of teams that will qualify for the state playoffs. The information was shared with member schools on Monday.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the NCHSAA will create a 48-team bracket for 1A-7A classifications, while the 8A classification will have a 24-team bracket. The 8A classification is limited to 32 schools, while the other classifications are limited to 64 schools, so fewer teams will qualify for the playoffs in the 8A classification.

“We believe this would enhance competitiveness, equity and participation across all classifications,” the proposal from the Bylaw Committee says, noting that the committee believes 32-team brackets is not enough, but allowing all teams to make the playoffs would be too much.

The committee says increased comeptitiveness was a goal of the new bracket format. In 48-team brackets, the top 16 seeds will all receive a first-round bye. The committee also hopes it reduces the pressure on some schools to opt out of the playoffs.

“We can ensure that initial matchups are more competitive, addressing past concerns about ‘blowouts’ that detracted from the experience for athletes and schools; thereby reducing the likelihood of unbalanced games,” the proposal says.

Using the bracket format, the NCHSAA has also released a sports calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The calendar will likely be adjusted for playoffs and state championships though, as the NCHSAA will have to work with venues to determine availability for additional state championship games.

The Bylaw Committee has not yet submitted a proposal to the board regarding how teams will qualify for the playoffs, but NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker told member schools in an email that the proposal is expected at the board meeting in April.

Playoff structure for individual sports, such as golf, tennis, wrestling, track & field, cross country, and swimming & diving, are also still being discussed, Tucker said.

Beginning this fall, the NCHSAA will expand past four classifications for the first time in its history, which is driving the changes to the playoff structure and format. The decision to expand to eight classes was made by the board after member schools passed a bylaw amendment stating that classifications could not contain more than 64 schools.