Chicago Public Schools Expanded Basketball Conference

The Red Conference grew from 32 to 40 teams as eight squads were promoted.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a basketball player mid-jump, capturing the intensity of Chicago Public Schools high school basketball. — Chicago Public Schools expanded the Red Conference basketball league to 40 teams, promoting eight squads to increase citywide competitive intensity. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should school sports leagues expand top-tier divisions to include more teams?

Chicago Public Schools has expanded its basketball Red Conference to 40 teams for the upcoming season. Eight new teams were elevated from the White Conference, while no teams were relegated.

Why it matters

The realignment creates a more competitive landscape for the citys top high school basketball programs. Expanding the conference ensures more schools have the opportunity to face elite competition within the district.

The Red Conference now consists of 40 teams organized into divisions of ten teams each. Eight programs were promoted from the White Conference to reach this new total.

The players

Chicago Public Schools

The school district serves as the governing body responsible for organizing athletic conferences and scheduling for public high schools in Chicago.

The details

Longwood, Dunbar, Chicago Richards, Jones, Schurz, Corliss, Prosser, and Wells were the eight teams elevated to the Red Conference. Additionally, Perspectives-Leadership has shifted from the Red Central division to the Red South division.

Chicago Public Schools released the new basketball conference alignments on October 13, 2026.

Football
Oct. 10
Morgan Park Clinched Red Star Title
Financial Aid
Oct. 8
Chicago Board Proposed New Student Fee Policy
Football
Oct. 13
Chicago Football Teams Will Vie for Playoff Spots

Season Trajectory

This expansion significantly alters the competitive balance of the Public League by increasing the number of teams vying for a spot in the Red Conference standings. The shift sets a new precedent for how schools are promoted and organized within the city's basketball hierarchy.

Teams in the expanded Red Conference will now play each of their conference opponents exactly once during the upcoming season. The promotion of new teams like Jones and Dunbar impacts the playoff qualification math for all existing members of the conference.

The takeaway

The move rewards growing programs with access to tougher league play throughout the winter schedule. Fans should watch how these newly promoted teams perform against established Red Conference powers during the first few weeks of the season.