2025-2026-NCHSAA_Handbook

(b)

Playoff Brackets - Will be posted on the NCHSAA Website once seeding is complete.

(c)

Schedule - Deadline for reporting qualifiers: May 3 (11:59 p.m.)

Seeding

May 4

Fourth Round

May 15

First Round

May 5

Regional

May 19-23

Second Round

May 8

State

May 27-30

Third Round

May 12

(1)

All games are single elimination, with the exception of the regional and state championship

series, which are the best two out of three games.

(2)

Competing teams should contact each other to work out details for their contest(s).

(3)

Deadlines are set for completion of each round, but competing schools may play on an earlier

date by mutual consent.

(d)

Officials

(1)

For the first two rounds of state playoffs, umpires are to be assigned by the local officials as­

sociation of the higher seeded team.

(2)

After the first two rounds, umpires will be assigned by the NCHSAA Director of Officiating

Services.

(3)

Starting in the third round, three (3) umpires will be used.

(4)

Assignments for regional and state championship games will be made by the NCHSAA office.

(e)

Game Times - On fields with lights, game time will be 7:00 p.m., unless mutually agreed upon to play at 6:00 p.m.

(1)

Any other exceptions, such as field with no lights, must be approved by the NCHSAA.

(2)

Where the distance is more than 100 miles for the visiting team, game time will be 6:00 p.m.

(3)

Saturday - Teams may play at any time if mutually agreed upon. If teams cannot mutually

agree, the higher seeded team may choose a starting time between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

NOTE - Time should be between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. if the visiting team is over 100 miles

one-way.

(f)

Admission - [See Ticket Pricing Chart page 121]

(g)

Protest Committee - The competing teams are required to coordinate a protest committee that in­

cludes a minimum of three school administrators prior to playing. The committee will act on any

protest at the time it may occur and its decision is final.

NOTE: Parents are not permitted to serve on this committee.

(h)

Postponed Games - Must be rescheduled on the next day (except on Sunday). Both schools and the

NCHSAA must be involved in the decision to postpone any playoff contest.

(i)

Team Expenses and Financial Arrangements - The NCHSAA receives 15% of the net gate from the first

round and second round; 20% of the net gate from the third round; 25% from fourth round games;

and 33% of the net gate from each game in the regional and championship series. In all rounds prior

to the state championship, participating schools will divide the remainder equally after applying the

following expense formula:

(1)

For playoff contests where the distance between competing schools is 100 miles or less, the

visiting school is responsible for its own transportation and meals. The host school will pro­

vide the playing facility and game balls at no charge. All game-related expenses, including

officials’ fees, are to be split between host and visiting schools and the NCHSAA.

(2)

When the distance between schools exceeds 100 miles (one way), the same cost-sharing ar­

rangement applies with one exception: The cost of game officials only will be split between

the NCHSAA and the host school.

(3)

All concession rights are retained by the host school.

(4)

Participating schools are responsible for dividing any deficit or net.

(5)

The principal of the host school, or appointed game manager, must forward the financial re­

port and ticket accountability form to the NCHSAA within 10 days after the contest.

(k)

Ticket Accountability and Financial Forms - All forms can be found on the designated reporting plat­

form.

(j)

Regional Awards - Team plaques will be presented to the regional champion and regional runner-up.

(l)

In playoff contests in which the NCHSAA provides a complimentary adopted game ball, that model of

game ball must be used for the playoff contest. Noncompliance is subject to 3.3.6(a)(5).

4.9.3

State Championship Series

(a)

Dates - May 27-30

(b)

Required Information - Teams qualifying for the state championships must submit their roster and

team information no later than Monday at noon prior to the state championship series.

(c)

Series - The state finals shall be a best two out of three game series. Game times and sites will be es­

tablished by the NCHSAA. The higher seeded team will be designated as the home team for games 1

and 3. If equal seeds meet, the Western team will be designated as home for game 1, the Eastern team

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