Texas High School Sports Districts Realigned

UIL adjusts school boundaries every two years to maintain competitive balance

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body for Texas high school sports, has announced new district alignments for the upcoming athletic seasons. These adjustments, made every two years, are based on changes in school enrollments across the state in an effort to maintain competitive balance between teams.

Why it matters

High school sports, especially football, are deeply ingrained in Texas culture. The UIL's district realignments can have a significant impact on local communities, affecting rivalries, travel times, and the overall competitive landscape for student-athletes.

The details

The UIL's biennial redistricting process involves analyzing enrollment figures for all Texas high schools and then redrawing the geographic boundaries that determine which schools compete against each other. While some schools may move up or down in classification as a result, the goal is to create districts with similar-sized programs to foster more evenly matched competition.

  • The new district alignments were announced on February 8, 2026.
  • The realigned districts will take effect for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years.

The players

University Interscholastic League (UIL)

The governing body for Texas high school sports, responsible for overseeing all aspects of interscholastic athletic competition in the state.

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What’s next

Schools and communities will now have several months to analyze the new district maps and prepare for the upcoming seasons under the revised alignments.

The takeaway

The UIL's periodic redistricting ensures that Texas high school sports remain competitive and equitable, though the changes can significantly impact local teams and rivalries.