Important IHSA Calendar Changes Beginning in 2026

The IHSA has approved several calendar and scheduling changes that will impact athletic programs beginning with the 2026 season. While some adjustments take effect next school year, one major change affects THIS coming summer and is especially important for families planning vacations.

New IHSA “Dead Week” – Summer 2026

The IHSA no-contact (dead) week has been moved to June 29 through July 5, 2026.

During this week:

• No practices or contests may be held

• No open gyms

• No weight lifting, conditioning, or agility training

• All athletic programs are completely shut down

Parents planning summer vacations should take note—this is now the only guaranteed no-activity week for all sports.

August Summer Workouts Now Allowed

As part of this change, the first week of August, which was previously considered a dead week, is now open for summer workouts leading up to the official start of fall sports.

• The official start date for fall sports remains August 10

• Teams may conduct workouts during the first week of August

• Schools should expect many fall sports programs to take full advantage of this additional preparation time

Softball Season Start Adjusted (2026 Season)

Beginning with the 2026 softball season:

• Practices may begin on February 23, 2026

• Contests may begin on March 9, 2026

IHSA Football Changes for 2026

The IHSA has approved an expansion of the football playoffs from 32 teams to 48 teams per classification, starting with the 2026 season.

This change also impacts scheduling:

• Week 1 of the regular season moves up one week to August 20, 2026

• The traditional Week 0 scrimmage is eliminated

• Schools with out-of-state games scheduled for 2026 should immediately confirm dates with opponents, as previously agreed-upon dates may no longer align

Bottom Line for Families

The most immediate and impactful change for parents and student-athletes is the new summer dead week (June 29–July 5) and the ability for teams to hold workouts during the first week of August. Families are encouraged to plan summer schedules accordingly, as fall sports programs are expected to utilize this new flexibility.

If you have questions about how these changes affect a specific sport or team, please reach out to your coach or athletic office.