​The start of the 2026 football season is two months away, and Tuesday’s reshuffling of CIAC playoff divisions has moved four recent state champions into new classes. The CIAC has crowned champions since 1976, and the state’s playoff structure has evolved many times over the past five decades, usually featuring either four or six tournaments, with a rare eight-champions year in 2014. The current six-division format was reinstated in 2022.
Since 1976, Ansonia has led the state with 22 CIAC titles, according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book compiled by Gerry DeSimas. New Canaan and St. Joseph are next with 16 apiece, followed by Hand with 15, Greenwich with 11, and Bloomfield with 10. We’ve broken down the present classifications by listing the teams in each division that have won CIAC championships. Note that these totals are total championships won by each program across all divisions, not just within the team’s current division. For example, Darien’s eight titles are spread over five divisions, including three in Class LL and one each in Classes L, M, SS, and S.
With Ansonia moving to Class SS this season, that division now accounts for 52 CIAC titles, with Class L next at 46, Class MM at 45, Class LL at 39, Class S at 30, and Class M at 28. New Canaan football head coach Lou Marinelli celebrated with his players after their Class L state championship win over Cheshire on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Veterans Stadium in New Britain.
Here is a breakdown of CIAC titles by class, including the number of championships and the years won by each program. Eleven teams have combined to win 39 CIAC championships: Greenwich (11 titles: 1981, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2018, 2022, 2024, 2025), New Britain (4: 1992, 2001, 2003, 2008), Staples (4: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2023), West Haven (4: 1986, 1987, 1989, 2002), Fairfield Prep (3: 1977, 1982, 1988), Glastonbury (3: 1984, 1989, 2008), Southington (3: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2023), Trumbull (3: 1977, 1985, 1986), East Hartford (2: 1976, 1987), McMahon (1: 1994), Wilbur Cross (1: 1984). Greenwich’s program is highlighted here with its head coach Anthony Morello as the team celebrated its LL championship victory over West Haven at Arute Stadium at CCSU.
Ten teams have combined for 46 CIAC championships: New Canaan (16: 1982, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), Darien (8: 1979, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021), Cheshire (7: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2009), Notre Dame (West Haven) (4: 1991, 2001, 2009, 2022), Shelton (4: 1988, 1995, 2000, 2003), Naugatuck (2: 1981, 1993), Ridgefield (2: 1983, 2002), Amity (1: 1978), Abbott Tech/Immaculate (Immaculate in 1986) (ATI) (1), Maloney (1: 2021), and St. Joseph (16: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2025).