Overview
- Alabama’s Central Board approved the change in a 13-2 vote for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, ending a century of unified championship brackets.
- Regular-season scheduling between public and private schools remains allowed, with six public-school classes and two private-school classes replacing the former seven-class system.
- The 1.35 private-school enrollment multiplier and the private-only competitive-balance factor are eliminated under the new structure.
- In football, the largest public class will consist of the 32 biggest schools as Class 7A is removed, and detailed playoff formats will be set at a Feb. 6 board meeting.
- Private-school leaders and some officials voiced disappointment over scheduling, travel costs and the value of separate titles, and AHSAA officials indicated CHOOSE Act funds will not affect athletic eligibility.