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Georgia

GHSA Moves Class 4A Playoff Games to Saturday

Georgia's governing body shifted first-round football playoff games to Saturday because of a shortage of officials.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football

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Georgia's governing body moved Class 4A first-round high school football playoff games to Saturday after a shortage of officials forced a schedule change announced by email to coaches Sunday evening. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Georgia High School Association moved Class 4A first-round football playoff games to Saturday. The GHSA emailed coaches on Sunday evening to announce the change.

Why it matters

The schedule change reflects an ongoing shortage of officials that has affected high school football playoff scheduling in Georgia. Coaches, players and fans must adjust to the new game day.

The GHSA has moved first-round playoff games every year since 2020 except last season, and in 2021 and 2022 three classifications were shifted to Saturday. The number of officials currently available for the 2026 playoffs was not disclosed.

The players

Georgia High School Association (GHSA)

The GHSA is the statewide body that governs interscholastic athletics, including high school football playoffs, for public and private schools across Georgia.

The details

The GHSA sent an email to coaches on Sunday evening notifying them that Class 4A first-round playoff football games would be played Saturday. The change was made because of a shortage of officials available to work the games.

Timeline

  1. 2020: GHSA first began moving first-round playoff games due to referee shortages.

  2. 2021 and 2022: Three classifications were shifted to Saturday for first-round games.

  3. Sunday evening: GHSA emailed coaches announcing the Saturday move.

  4. Saturday: Class 4A first-round playoff games are scheduled.

Season Trajectory

The GHSA has moved first-round playoff games to Saturday in most seasons since 2020, with three classifications shifted in 2021 and 2022. This year's move continues that pattern of adjusting the playoff calendar around officiating availability.

Fans and teams planning to attend Class 4A first-round playoff games should check Saturday as the game day. Fantasy and betting schedules tied to those games will also need to reflect the new date.

The takeaway

Playoff schedules in Georgia remain subject to officiating availability, so readers should confirm game days with the GHSA before making plans.

Further reading

For more on the state's high school schedule, see Football coverage.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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