On Monday, Pittsburgh Soccer Now has learned that WPIAL Boys and Girls athletic directors and soccer coaches recieved an email with 2026-2027 realignment grids.
We have the full listing of all four classifications along with each revamped section can be found below.
Among the most notable changes (on first review) for WPIAL Boys Soccer realignment include:
Class 2A is absolutely packed with more schools than ever before — with 36 boys teams and now with five (!!) section
Some traditional geographical rivals are broken up in Class 2A, namely Deer Lakes and Shady Side Academy are now in separate sections.
Class 1A shrinks to 21 teams with just three sections
Class 4A remains somewhat similar with three sections, but some movement with Moon and Bethel Park as notable schools moving up
Class 3A drops a few schools, down to 26 teams tota
Another geographical rivalry won’t happen, as even though Plum drops down to 3A after a two-year run in 4A, they will not be put in same section as Franklin Regional.
In addition to the 2026 season being the first of the two-year realignment, there will be additional changes coming including the removal of overtime (extra time) from regular season matches and approval for PIAA sanctioned matches to begin incorporating diagonal system of officiating (one main center official and two linesmen).
2026-2027 WPIAL Boys Soccer Realignment by Classification
(c) — part of two-school cooperative partnershipÂ
Class 4A
Section 1
Central Catholic
Connellsville
Fox Chapel (2025 WPIAL Class 4A Champion)Â
Gateway
Hempfield Area
Norwin
Section 2
Baldwin
Bethel Park
Canon-McMillan
Mt. Lebanon
Peters Township
Upper St Clair
Section 3Â
Butler
Moon
North Allegheny
North Hills
Pine-Richland
Seneca Valley
Class 3A
Section 1
Armstrong
Franklin Regional
Greater Latrobe
Greensburg Salem
Indiana
Kiski Area
Penn-Trafford
Section 2
Albert Gallatin
Laurel Highlands
McKeesport
Ringgold
Thomas Jefferson
Trinity
Uniontown (c)
Section 3Â
Hampton
Mars
Penn Hills (c)
Plum
Shaler
Woodland Hills
Section 4
Blackhawk
Central Valley
Chartiers Valley
Montour
South Fayette
West Allegheny (2025 WPIAL Class 3A Champion)Â
Â
Class 2A
Section 1
Burrell
Deer Lakes (2025 WPIAL Class 2A Champion)Â
Freeport
Highlands
Knoch
Leechberg (c)
Valley
Section 2
Ambridge
Beaver
Ellwood City
Hopewell
Mohawk
North Catholic
Riverside
South Side (c)
Section 3Â
Avonworth
East Allegheny
Quaker Valley
Shady Side Academy
South Allegheny
Steel Valley
West Mifflin
Section 4
Charleroi (c)
Elizabeth Forward
Keystone Oaks
McGuffey
Seton LaSalle
South Park
Waynesburg Central
Section 5
Belle Vernon
Brownsville
Derry
Ligonier Valley
Mt. Pleasant
Southmoreland
Yough
Class 1A
Section 1
Aquinas Academy
Beaver County Christian
Eden Christian
Freedom Area
Neshannock
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Sewickley Academy
Section 2
Bentworth (2025 WPIAL Class 1A Champion)Â
Beth-Center
Bishop Canevin
Brentwood
Carlynton
Chartiers-Houston
Serra Catholic
Â
Section 3Â
Greensburg Central Catholic
Jeannette
Riverview
Saint Joseph
Springdale
Trinity Christian
Winchester Thurston
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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).
