# 2026 IHSA Class 5A Football Playoffs

> 2026 Illinois high school football playoffs: Class 5A pairings and scores revealed.
- Title: 2026 IHSA Class 5A Football Playoffs · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: 2026 Illinois high school football playoffs: Class 5A pairings and scores revealed. Illinois High School Association announces Class 5A state football…
- Keywords: ihsa, class 5a, state football playoffs, playoff pairings, scores, high school football, illinois, news, local, 2026, Class, Football
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/high-school-football/2026/10/17/ihsa-state-football-playoff-pairings-class5a-illinois-2026
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:26:10.358+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ihsa, class 5a, state football playoffs, playoff pairings, scores, high school football, illinois, news, local
## 2026 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs
The Illinois High School Association has revealed the 2026 Class 5A state football playoff pairings and scores.
## Playoff Structure
Top 16 seeds receive a bye in the Opening Round; higher seed hosts lower seed in first round.
## Opening Round Dates
Opening Round games start Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
## Championship Location
Class 5A state championship games will be held at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
## Class 5A North Pairings
Glenbard South (1) vs. Antioch (17), Sycamore (9) vs. Belvidere (8), Lakes (20) vs. Wauconda (4).
## Class 5A South Pairings
Marion (17) vs. Mahomet-Seymour (1), Corliss (9) vs. Crete-Monee (8), Lemont (13) vs. Morton (4).
## North Opening Round Scores
Glenbard South defeated Payton 40-7, Sycamore beat Crystal Lake South 48-14, Lakes won 44-0 against Senn.
## South Opening Round Scores
Marion defeated Bloomington 40-7, Corliss beat Champaign Centennial 18-7, Lemont won 48-6 against Peoria.
## Next Round Dates
Class 5A title games will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2026.
## Playoff Rules
Higher seed hosts lower seed in subsequent rounds; if equal hosting history, higher seed hosts.
## Key takeaway

Illinois High School Association announces Class 5A state football playoff pairings and scores for 2026.