Where Each State Stands with Fall Sports

August 19, 2020 / Athletic AdministrationCross countryFootballGolfSoccer
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has kept an updated tracker of where all 50 states stand in their efforts to resume fall sports safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depending on how hard their region has been hit, some states have forgone certain fall sports, while others have adapted to a four-season schedule and others have been able to proceed with business as usual.

As of August 18, here is a breakdown the NFHS has provided on the status of each state as the calendar increasingly inches closers to September.

state
Photo: Courtesy NFHS

Alaska (First contests for fall sports moved from August 14 to August 20)

Arizona (Golf – August 17; Cross Country and Swimming and Diving – August 24; Badminton, Fall Soccer and Volleyball – August 31; and Football – September 7)

California (December 2020 or January 2021)

Colorado (Boys Golf – August 3; Boys Tennis – August 10; Cross Country – August 12; Football – February 22; Field Hockey, Gymnastics, Boys Soccer, Unified Bowling and Girls Volleyball – March 1)

Connecticut (August 17)

Delaware (Winter Sports – December 2020; Fall Sports – February 2021; The exact start dates will be decided upon at the September DIAA Board of Directors meeting.)

District of Columbia (January 4)

Florida (August 24)

Illinois (Boys/Girls Golf, Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Cross Country, and Girls Swimming and Diving – August 10; Boys Soccer, Football and Girls Volleyball – Spring 2021)

Iowa (The IHSAA announced a revised seven-week regular season football schedule running from August 28 through October 9.)

Hawaii (Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football and Girls Volleyball – January 2021)

Georgia (The Georgia High School Association postponed the start of football season until September 4; while permitted to continue practice, competitive cheerleading competitions are delayed until November 21.)

Kentucky (August 24; The golf season schedule is unchanged.)

Louisiana (Cross Country and Swimming and Diving – August 31; Volleyball – September 8; and Football – October 8)

Maine (September 8)

Maryland (Fall and winter competition seasons postponed during the first semester)

Massachusetts (September 14)

Michigan (Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball – August 12; Football – Spring 2021; Competition guidelines for Volleyball, Boys soccer and Lower Peninsula Girls Swimming & Diving will be announced August 19.)

Minnesota (Cross Country, Tennis, Soccer, and Swimming and Diving – August 17; Football and Volleyball – Spring 2021)

Mississippi (August 10; Football starts August 17)

Nevada (Winter sports January 2; Fall sports February 20; Spring sports April 3)

New Hampshire (September 8)

New Jersey (September 14)

New Mexico  (The NMAA, through Governor recommendations, canceled contact sports competition for the fall. As a result, the 2020 football and soccer seasons have been switched to the spring semester.)

New York (Not before September 21)

North Carolina (Cross Country and Volleyball – November 4; Swimming and Diving – November 23; Basketball – December 7; Boys Soccer and Lacrosse – January 11; Football – February 8; Boys Tennis, Girls Soccer and Softball – March 1; Baseball, Girls Tennis, Track and Field, and Wrestling – April 12; and Cheerleading – May 1)

Ohio (If, through Governor recommendations, football is permitted competition, the OHSAA feature a six-game season with a postseason will last no later than November 21. Golf, Tennis, Volleyball and Cross Country are permitted to have contests. Decisions on Field Hockey and Soccer will be made at a later date.)

Oregon (Basketball, Swimming and Diving, and Wrestling – December 28; Football, Soccer, Volleyball and Cross Country – February 22)

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Pennsylvania (August 24)

Rhode Island (September 14)

South Carolina (Girls Golf, Swimming and Diving, and Girls Tennis – August 17; Cross Country and Volleyball – August 24; Competitive Cheer and Football – September 8.)

Texas (August 3 for conferences 1A-4A football and volleyball; conferences 5A-6A start September 7)

Vermont (Football programs are allowed to hold a 7-on-7 touch football season (not the NFHS-recognized 6-, 8-, 9- or 11-player contact football); Volleyball matches must be held outside – September 8)

Virginia (December 14)

Washington (September 7)

West Virginia (August 17)

Wisconsin (Fall Sports – August 17; Winter Sports – November 23; Alternate Fall Sports – February/March, per WIAA Release; and Spring Sports – April 19)

The following states will not play football this fall:

California; Colorado; Delaware; District of Columbia; Hawaii; Illinois; Maryland; Michigan; Minnesota; Nevada; New Mexico; North Carolina; Oregon; Vermont; Virginia; Washington