Southern California high school soccer teams are gearing up for the first round of the CIF Regional Playoffs, with games scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The pairings, announced on March 1, 2026, set the stage for a competitive series of matches across multiple divisions for both boys and girls teams. This year’s regional playoffs are particularly significant as they determine which squads will advance to the State Championships, slated for March 13-14 at Matomas High in Sacramento. The Los Angeles Times has the full list of pairings.
The competition will unfold across five divisions for both boys and girls, with games generally beginning at 5 p.m. Unless otherwise noted. Top-seeded teams will host the opening-round matches, offering a home-field advantage as they navigate the initial stages of the tournament. The stakes are high, as each victory brings teams closer to a coveted state title. The regional playoffs represent the culmination of a season’s worth of effort for these young athletes and the matchups promise exciting contests for fans and players alike.
Boys Division Playoff Schedule
In the Boys Division I bracket, #8 Santa Monica will travel to face the top-seeded Mater Dei. Other notable matchups include #5 Placentia Valencia at #4 El Camino Real, #6 JSerra at #3 Del Norte, and #7 St. Augustine at #2 Orange Lutheran. Division II features a clash between #8 Sultana and #1 Torrey Pines, while #5 Anaheim Canyon will take on #4 Pascual. Further down the bracket, #6 Hilltop will face #3 Fontana, and #7 Birmingham will challenge #2 Mira Monte.
Division III sees #8 Godinez heading to #1 Bishop Amat, with a unique contest between #5 Bakersfield Liberty and #4 Palisades scheduled for 4:30 p.m. At Birmingham High School. #6 Los Alamitos will visit #3 Bonita Vista, and #7 Mt. Carmel will be on the road against #2 Newport Harbor. The Division IV bracket includes #8 Animo Leadership at #1 Irvine University, #5 Chatsworth at #4 Bakersfield, #6 Santa Ana Valley at #3 La Jolla, and #7 Esperanza versus #2 Granite Hills at Newton Bass Stadium. Finally, Division V pits #8 LA Roosevelt against #1 Ontario Christian, #5 Kern County Taft at #4 North Hollywood, #6 Orange County Pacifica Christian at #3 Garfield, and #7 San Diego Lincoln at #2 Pasadena Poly.
Girls Division Playoff Schedule
The Girls Division I bracket is set with #8 Eastvale Roosevelt traveling to face #1 Santa Margarita at 4 p.m. #5 Redondo Union will face #4 Cleveland at 6 p.m. At Taft High School, while #6 Oaks Christian will challenge #3 Mt. Carmel and #7 North County San Marcos will play at #2 Mater Dei. In Division II, #8 Westview will visit #1 Newport Harbor, #5 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame will take on #4 Carlsbad, #6 Granada Hills will play at #3 Garces Memorial, and #7 La Costa Canyon will face #2 Westlake at Cal Lutheran.
Division III features #8 Palisades at #1 Del Norte at 4:30 p.m., #5 El Diamante at #4 Quartz Hill, #6 Crescenta Valley at #3 Ayala, and #7 Tulare Western at #2 Millikan. The Division IV bracket includes #8 Segerstrom at #1 Birmingham at 7 p.m., #5 Coachella Valley at #4 Ramona, #6 Mission Vista at #3 San Jacinto, and #7 Del Sol versus #2 Immaculate Heart at Rio Mesa. Rounding out the competition, Division V will see #8 Coastal Academy at #1 Ocean View, #5 Bravo at #4 Webb, #6 Marquez at #3 Delano Kennedy, and #7 Sun Valley Poly against #2 Santa Monica Pacifica Christian at Lincoln Middle School.
Following the first round, the semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the higher seeds’ home fields, with game times at 1 p.m. Or 5 p.m. The championship finals will then be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, also at the host sites, with similar game times. The ultimate goal for these teams is a trip to Sacramento for the State Championships on March 13-14, where the best high school soccer programs in California will compete for the top prize.
As the teams prepare for these crucial matches, coaches and players alike are focused on strategy, teamwork, and maintaining peak physical and mental condition. The regional playoffs represent not only a test of athletic skill but also a demonstration of dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Fans are encouraged to reach out and support their local teams as they pursue their championship dreams.
The CIF State Championships at Matomas High in Sacramento promise to be a thrilling conclusion to the high school soccer season. Further details regarding specific game times will be released closer to the event date. Stay tuned for updates and follow your favorite teams as they battle for state supremacy.
What do you think of these pairings? Share your predictions and support for your local teams in the comments below.
