Arizona high school soccer’s biggest stage is set: the 2026 Arizona Interscholastic Association Boys Winter Open State Championship bracket has been released, launching a Feb. 11 postseason that pits Southern Arizona programs against a loaded field of traditional powers, local rivals, and high-stakes early matchups on the road to Mesa.

Ironwood Ridge opens against Sunnyside in one of the key local contests of Round 1, while Mountain View Marana, Cienega, Catalina Foothills, and other Tucson-area programs face a challenging path through a bracket stacked with Phoenix-area contenders.

Programs like Brophy Prep, Mesa, Gilbert, Red Mountain, and Pinnacle headline the statewide field, setting up the potential for high-profile quarterfinal and semifinal matchups. With higher seeds hosting games through the semifinal round, regular-season standings could play a decisive role in who advances.

The quarterfinals are scheduled for Feb. 18, followed by the semifinals on Feb. 25, with the Open State Championship set for March 2 at Mesa High School.

Expect tightly contested early-round matchups, strong defensive performances, and opportunities for lower-seeded teams to challenge established programs.

Ryder Jerome is a student at Ironwood Ridge High School and Tucson Spotlight inter. Follow his work at instagram.com/shot.byryder/

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