GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) continues to evolve its structure and offerings to better serve its member schools, student-athletes, and communities. Several important updates are being implemented for the upcoming seasons, including changes to football classification, expanded participation options for schools, and an update to EL1 medical documentation requirements.

Football Classification Update: Rural Schools and Class 1A
Beginning with the upcoming football season, rural schools will be combined with Class 1A for the 26-27 and 27-28 Classification Cycle. This adjustment is designed to promote competitive balance while providing rural programs with consistent classification alignment. The change will be evaluated over the two-year period to ensure it continues to support meaningful competition and participation opportunities across the state.

Expanded Options for Schools Seeking Alternatives to the State Series
The FHSAA has also expanded pathways for schools that are seeking alternatives to participation in the traditional state series, while remaining under the FHSAA umbrella.

Under Florida Statute 1006.20(1), schools may participate in the FHSAA as either a full member or as a member by sport, allowing for greater flexibility based on each school’s needs.

Independent Status Options
Schools electing independent status are provided increased autonomy over their schedules. FHSAA full-member schools declaring independent status have two participation options:

• Compete independently within the FHSAA with no postseason participation, or
• Participate in an independent league that offers the possibility of postseason competition

Schools choosing to participate outside of the FHSAA with another organization must complete their membership application this spring as a member by sport.

These options are designed to give schools flexibility while maintaining clarity, compliance, and alignment within the state’s interscholastic athletics framework.

FHSAA Membership
Full Member	Member By Sport
Single or Multi-Year Membership	Single Year Membership
Use of Home Campus	Use of Home Campus in FHSAA Declared Sports
Electronic Versions of NFHS and Applicable Rules Book	Electronic Versions of NFHS and Applicable Rules Book in FHSAA Declared Sports
Customer Service, Legal Services, and Compliance & Eligibility Support	Customer Service, Legal Services, and Compliance & Eligibility Support in FHSAA Declared Sports
Compete in FHSAA State Championships, Independent League or Independent	Compete in FHSAA State Championships or Independent in FHSAA Declared Sports
Participation in State Series Pass Program
Ability to Vote and Seek Election as Part of the FHSAA Governance Structure
Participation in FHSAA Recognition Programs

 

Football
Full Member (State Series)	Full Member (Independent)	Member By Sport
Compete in the State Series in your school’s classification	Independent autonomy of schedule with no postseason participation	Football is played outside of the FHSAA under another organization
Possibility of being selected to participate in the Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT)	Independent League-autonomy of schedule with possibility of postseason participation	The FHSAA has no jurisdiction over the school’s football program

For additional details, resources, and timelines related to these updates, schools should continue to visit FHSAA.com and remain in communication with their district and association representatives. If anyone has any questions, please contact the FHSAA offices.


About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at over 850 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.