The CIAC high school football playoffs are rolling in Connecticut. Forty-eight teams from across the state are fighting for championships in six different classes.
From dominating defensive performances to wild offensive showcases, this year’s opening round has already brought some of the most exciting gridiron action fans from Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Waterbury, New Britain, Greenwich, Southington, and beyond have seen in years.
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now
CIAC Football Playoffs Kick Off Across Six Classes
The 2024 CIAC postseason splits competition into six divisions: Class LL, L, MM, M, SS, and S. Forty-eight teams landed in the brackets.
Weather concerns forced the schedule makers to pivot. But the intensity on the field hasn’t dropped at all.
With forecasts calling for bad weather, the CIAC moved all quarterfinal games up to tonight. That way, teams could play safely, and fields wouldn’t get wrecked.
Semifinals are now set for Monday at 6:30 p.m.. Most championship games are scheduled for Saturday, December 13.
Streaming the Games: Fans Urged to Beware of Fake Links
If you’re from Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, or Stamford and can’t get to the stadium, you’ve got options. The CIAC is streaming all playoff contests on the NFHS Network, which is the official way to catch every snap.
Officials keep warning viewers about fake streaming links floating around social media. These scammy posts look real but can lead you straight to trouble.
Connecticut High School Football Alliance Expands for 2026
This year’s playoffs are the big story, but there’s some news about the future of Connecticut high school football. The Connecticut High School Football Alliance just announced it will add the Pequot Conference to its framework starting in 2026.
That means all eight state conferences will now take part in Alliance scheduling. Programs from Norwalk, Waterbury, Middletown, Torrington, and New Britain will get more cross-conference games, making for more balanced schedules and better non-conference matchups.
What the Alliance Expansion Means for Programs Statewide
With the Pequot Conference joining, smaller programs will get more exposure and fresh competition. This change should also help even out the strength of schedule across Connecticut, which always sparks debate when playoff seedings drop.
Coaches from Eastern Connecticut to Fairfield County have pushed for this kind of unified setup for years. In 2026, every conference finally gets a seat at the table.
Class LL: Statement Wins and Nail-Biters in the Quarterfinals
Class LL, home to some of Connecticut’s biggest and most storied programs, wasted no time throwing out drama and surprises in the quarterfinals. Fans from New Britain to Greenwich got to see both upsets and dominant efforts shape a wild semifinal lineup.
One of the night’s biggest shockers came when Norwich Free Academy went on the road and stunned top-seeded New Britain with a 35-0 shutout. NFA’s defense set the tone, grabbing multiple interceptions and controlling the line all night.
The Wildcats sent a loud message to the rest of the bracket—they’re not just underdogs; they’re real title threats.
Southington, Fairfield Prep, and Greenwich Advance in LL
Another thriller: Southington edged Glastonbury in a 35-30 shootout. Southington’s offense leaned on playmaker Ben Beaulieu, who found the end zone five times.
Momentum kept swinging, but Beaulieu’s versatility and explosiveness made the difference.
Elsewhere, Fairfield Prep handled Danbury 31-17. Vincent Lombardo scored three touchdowns, and quarterback Robbie Manning delivered steady, efficient play to keep the Wreckers at bay.
Prep’s balanced attack now heads into the semifinals with plenty of confidence.
Greenwich, a program with a deep playoff tradition that draws fans from Stamford and Norwalk, put on one of the most dominant shows of the night. The Cardinals rolled past Staples, 41-7, advancing to their fourth straight Class LL semifinal.
Hector Lopez led the way with multiple touchdowns as Greenwich controlled the tempo and physicality from the opening kick.
Class L: Explosive Offenses and Tight Contests
If Class LL brought a mix of defense and fireworks, Class L leaned even harder into high-octane offense. Teams from New Canaan, Hartford, Ridgefield, and Cheshire showed they can light up the scoreboard—and, when it counts, grind out tough wins.
New Canaan delivered one of the most emphatic statements of the night, overwhelming rival Darien in a 42-7 rout. Running back Andrew Esposito scored four touchdowns, slicing up the Blue Wave defense and setting the tone for a Rams offense that looks ready for a deep run.
Hartford Co-op, Ridgefield, and Cheshire Move On
In another Class L clash, Hartford Co-op unleashed its offensive firepower in a 63-28 victory over ATI Co-op. The game turned into a track meet.
Hartford finished drives and made the most of big plays. Fans in the capital city will watch closely as this group pushes deeper into the bracket.
Ridgefield pulled off a notable upset with a 24-13 win over Newtown. They leaned on timely defense and found ways to execute in the red zone.
The Tigers showed just how dangerous a lower seed can be in a single-elimination format. It’s honestly hard not to root for a team that plays with that kind of edge.
Rounding out the Class L quarterfinals, Cheshire survived a thriller against Ludlowe, escaping with a 32-29 victory. The Rams had to handle multiple comeback attempts.
They kept their composure in the fourth quarter and that made the difference. It was the kind of tense, physical game that fans in places like Meriden and Wallingford expect this time of year.
The semifinals loom on Monday, with finals set for December 13. Football fans across Connecticut—from the shoreline to the valley, from the Hartford area to Fairfield County—might want to clear their calendars.
Here is the source article for this story: CIAC football playoffs: Live updates from quarterfinal games across Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
Fairfield County
Hartford County
Litchfield County
Middlesex County
New Haven County
New London County
Tolland County
