# 2026 IHSA Class 8A Football Playoffs

> Chicago Sun-Times reveals 2026 IHSA Class 8A state football playoff pairings and scores.
- Title: 2026 IHSA Class 8A Football Playoffs · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Chicago Sun-Times reveals 2026 IHSA Class 8A state football playoff pairings and scores. The Illinois High School Association has set the 2026 Class 8A state…
- Keywords: ihsa, class 8a, 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-class8a-illinois-2026
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:48:29.644+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ihsa, class 8a, state football playoffs, playoff pairings, scores, high school football, illinois, news, local
## 2026 IHSA Class 8A Playoffs
The Illinois High School Association has revealed the 2026 Class 8A state football playoff pairings and scores.
## Playoff Structure
The top 16 seeds receive a bye in the Opening Round, with higher seeds hosting games in subsequent rounds.
## Opening Round Dates
Opening Round games occur on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 2026.
## Championship Location
Class 1A through 4A title games will be held on Friday, November 27, 2026, at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
## Class 8A Seeding
In Class 8A, the 48 teams are seeded #1 through #48, with seeds #1, #16 receiving an Opening Round bye.
## Class 8A First Round
The Class 8A First Round pairings include Oak Park at Lincoln-Way East, Hinsdale Central vs. Von Steuben, and others.
## Opening Round Results
Opening Round results show Oak Park-River Forest won 58-7 against East Aurora, and Hinsdale Central beat Lake Park 41-19.
## Class 8A Playoffs Timeline
Class 8A title games will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2026, following the Opening Round and Round 1 games.
## Playoff Rules
The school that has hosted fewer times during the current playoff series hosts the game unless both teams have hosted equally.
## Class 8A Matchups
Class 8A matchups include Barrington at Sandburg, Naperville Central at Oswego, and Fremd at Naperville North.
## Playoff Progression
The Opening Round winners join the bye teams in Round 1, with subsequent rounds following the hosting rules.
## Key takeaway

The Illinois High School Association has set the 2026 Class 8A state football playoff pairings and scores for the upcoming season.