Play-inOctober 13
Hamilton vs. Corvallis
Final, October 13: Corvallis won 3–1 and advances to host Park in the quarterfinals.
New analysis · October 11Montana Class A Soccer
The Playoff Field
Is Set
Every projected opening matchup, who earned the home field, and the road each qualifier faces toward the 2026 Class A championship.
Postseason at a glance18 qualifiers
Nine boys’ teams. Nine girls’ teams. Two Southern play-ins lead into eight-team brackets.
The field takes shape
Three conference champions anchor each bracket
Billings Central, Whitefish and Polson lead the boys’ field. Billings Central, Whitefish and Hamilton lead the girls. The final regular-season results also resolved the Eastern races, while published school and local-news reports supplied the Northern playoff destinations.
The Northern placements below remain source-based projections until MHSA posts the completed team names in its official bracket. The bracket structure itself is fixed: the three division champions and selected second seeds host quarterfinals, while Southern Nos. 2 and 3 must first survive a play-in.
Boys bracket
Central’s road begins at home
The Rams completed an unbeaten conference season and earned the Eastern Division’s top seed.
Quarterfinal1 South vs. 2 North
Polson vs. Bigfork
Final, October 17: Polson defeated Bigfork and advances to face Billings Central. Site editor report; final score pending confirmation.
Quarterfinal1 East vs. 3 North
Billings Central vs. Columbia Falls
Final, October 17: Central defeated Columbia Falls 4–0 and advances to the semifinals. Firsthand verified.
Quarterfinal1 North vs. 3 East
Whitefish vs. Lockwood
Final, October 17: Whitefish and Lockwood finished 1–1 through overtime. Whitefish advances 4–2 on penalties, per MontanaSports.
Quarterfinal2 East vs. play-in winner
Park vs. Hamilton/Corvallis
Final, October 17: Park defeated Corvallis 3–0 and advances to face Whitefish. Source: MaxPreps.
Central’s path: After beating Columbia Falls 4–0, Central faces Polson in the semifinal. The equal-seed matchup follows the official bracket’s host designation; game time and location await confirmation.
Girls bracket
Central secures the East and a home opener
The Rams’ 6–0 win at Lone Peak delivered the Eastern championship, with Laurel second and Park third.
Play-inOctober 12–13
Polson vs. Stevensville
Final, October 13: Stevensville advances 3–1 on penalties after a 0–0 draw with Polson, then hosts Laurel.
Quarterfinal1 South vs. 2 North
Hamilton vs. Columbia Falls
Final, October 17: Columbia Falls defeated Hamilton 5–1 and advances to face Central. Source: MaxPreps.
Quarterfinal1 East vs. 3 North
Billings Central vs. Bigfork
Final, October 17: Central defeated Bigfork 5–0 and advances to the semifinals. Firsthand verified; corrects the earlier Libby listing.
Quarterfinal1 North vs. 3 East
Whitefish vs. Park
Final, October 17: Whitefish beat Park 3–1 and advances to the semifinals, per MontanaSports.
Quarterfinal2 East vs. play-in winner
Laurel vs. Polson/Stevensville
Final, October 17: Laurel defeated Stevensville 2–0 and advances to face Whitefish. Source: MaxPreps.
Central’s path: After beating Bigfork 5–0, Central advances to face Columbia Falls, which defeated Hamilton 5–1. Semifinal time is pending confirmation.
What to watch
Four storylines define opening weekend
Central’s double home draw
Both Rams teams earned No. 1 East seeds and open in Billings.
The girls’ heavyweight
Hamilton–Columbia Falls places an unbeaten conference champion against the defending state champion immediately.
Whitefish’s title defense
The Northern boys champion opens against a Lockwood team carrying late-season momentum.
Survive the play-in
Hamilton–Corvallis boys and Polson–Stevensville girls must play once before entering the eight-team bracket.
Sources & status
A projected field awaiting the official posting
This analysis uses verified results through October 10, the official MHSA bracket structure, published playoff destinations and school-confirmed Northern forfeits. Match times remain subject to school and MHSA confirmation.