Below is information for how the TSSAA Middle School Basketball postseason will be structured under the first year of the current classification cycle. Schools are now in districts, regions, and sections. TSSAA has set up the following postseason structure that will be used unless the region opts to have a larger tournament and include more teams, which is allowed.

TSSAA-default postseason structure:
The top team from each district, which can be determined through a district tournament or regular season records, will advance to the region semifinals according to the following brackets. Schools in each district should have met and agreed to how the district champion will be determined prior to the season. For Class A and AA, district champions must be determined before Monday, February 2. For Class AAA, district champions must be determined before Thursday, February 5.
Class A Postseason Bracket
Class AA Postseason Bracket
Class AAA Postseason Bracket
*Please note that the team on the bottom of the bracket is the host team in 2026. This remains true through the sectional final.

Alternative option:
Schools in a region or section can collectively decide to have larger regional/sectional tournaments including more teams from each district. If you have not heard from schools in your region or section that this is happening, you should reach out now. You can find contact information for coaches and ADs in your district, region, and section on the TSSAA Portal using the blue Members button under Sports > Memberships. Otherwise, assume that you are following the default option above.

Regardless of the size of the regional and sectional tournaments, the sectional final in all classes must be completed by Saturday, February 7. The winner of each sectional will advance to the State Championships in Rutherford County on February 13-14.

Financials:
Eighteen percent (18%) of the gross proceeds from sectional basketball tournaments should be paid to TSSAA. If multiple locations are used, 18% of each gate should be submitted via a Financial Report on the TSSAA Portal. Expenses, including officials’ payments, must be paid from the remaining gate receipts and then any leftover amount is to be divided among the participating schools.

Host schools can determine the spectator admission price for postseason, but it should not exceed $10 on GoFan and $12 cash per day. The TACA card (presented with ID that matches name on card) and the TSSAA ID card are the only passes that should be accepted for entry. Each admits one only.

TSSAA will provide awards for each sectional winner and runner-up. At the district and region levels, 18% does not have to be paid, but no awards are provided. Districts and regions can choose to order additional awards using the following form: https://cms-files.tssaa.org/documents/tmsaa/forms/Additional-Awards-Basketball. pdf

Host schools may retain all money from concessions and parking, should they choose to charge for it. Parking fees should not exceed $5 per vehicle per day.

Officials:
Officials must be paid by the tournament director from the gate receipts. 3 officials per sectional game are preferred, and required for the sectional final game. For the sectional final, each of the 3 officials will be paid $75 per game plus $0.30/mile. For all games before the sectional final, payment is left to negotiations between the schools and the local officials' association.

Game Ball:
The host school must provide the game ball and warm-up balls. If available, please use the official TSSAA game ball:

Boys’ NCAA® OFFICIAL GAME BALL
WTB0700: Official Size
Girls’ NCAA® OFFICIAL GAME BALL
WTB0701: 28.5 Size

Additional Information:
More information about this postseason structure can be found here: https://tmsaa.tssaa.org/ middle-school-postseason-qualifying-procedures-and-brackets-for-2025-26

***As you have identified the format and locations of your district, regional, and sectional tournaments, please email that information to Lamar Lee at llee@tssaa.org so he can update state qualifying brackets on our website here: https://tssaasports.com/middle/