The suggested format for the Florida High School Athletic Association’s upcoming Open Division in team sports would include a two four-team brackets playing a round robin before advancing to a four-team, single elimination tournament.
The FHSAA released the format in advance of its Board of Directors meeting on June 7-8. FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon has recommended the board accept the format as presented.
Here’s what we know about the Open Division, which is slated to start with the 2026-27 school year.
What sports will have an Open Division?
Football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball and softball. It is noted in the FHSAA board meeting agenda item that flag football and boys and girls lacrosse also could have an Open Division.
How will teams qualify for the Open Division?
In football, the top eight teams in the MaxPreps’ statewide rankings at the end of the regular season will advance to the Open Division.
In all other team sports, the top eight teams in MaxPreps statewide rankings after the district tournaments will advance to the Open Division.
The FHSAA board voted unanimously in February to use MaxPreps rankings for playoff seeding and no longer use its own set of power rankings. While Damon told the USA Today Florida Network in December that he’s open to a human oversight committee to ensure the best teams are in the Open Division, there is no mention of a human element in the FHSAA’s released agenda item.
What will be the format for teams in the Open Division?
Teams will be split into two brackets: Pool A (seeds 1, 4, 5 and 8) and Pool B (seeds 2, 3, 6 and 7). Teams will play each team in their pool once, with each team guaranteed at least one home game.
Playing three round-robin rounds allows the teams in the Open Division to play at least three postseason games, which aligns with playing through at least the regional championship round for teams in the state series.
The top two teams in each bracket will advance to the state semifinals. The No. 1 team in Pool A will play the No. 2 team in Pool B, and No. 1 in Pool B plays the No. 2 team in Pool B. The winners will play for the Open Division state championship.
What if teams are tied in pool play standings?
The FHSAA has four tiebreakers, which will be applied in order.
Anything else?
It’s worth noting that an alternative to the proposed recommendation would be to create a North and South pool of teams. This could be controversial, especially in a sport like football where so many of the sport’s traditional powers are in South Florida. Putting four of those teams in one bracket while placing four northern teams in a separate bracket won’t go over well for a lot of people in South Florida.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FHSAA Open Division playoff format released. Let us explain it
Reporting by Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
