HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Policy snapshot · September 11, 2026
WBGT policies, state by state.
Heat rules vary across the country—and between practices and games.
Explore the map to see each state’s requirements and the sources behind them.
Statewide WBGT policy overview
Map key
Select a category to highlight
Striped states require WBGT for practice, with narrower or unconfirmed game requirements.
THE PRACTICE–GAME GAP
Same heat.
Different rules.
Eight jurisdictions require WBGT for practices without equally broad game requirements. Some recommend game-day adjustments; others cover only certain sports or schools.
Select a state to see the distinction in its policy.
SOURCES & SCOPE
Go straight to the source.
Each state links to the policy or review used in the September 2026 audit. Explore the full research behind the map below.
The state policy audit
50 states, D.C., 10 national organizations, and the source inventory.
The policy landscape
Definitions, research, and context for practice and competition rules.
The original policy map
A single-page view of the national picture and policy categories.
What does “WBGT required” mean?
The audit identifies mandatory WBGT measurement or mandatory actions triggered by WBGT within the policy’s stated scope. It codes practices and games separately. A required heat policy that permits another metric, such as heat index, has its own category.
“Limited” includes conditional requirements, particular sports or schools, and materially unclear scope. State categories describe policy coverage, not how effective a policy is.
Does “no mandate located” mean there are no heat rules?
No. It means the reviewed sources did not establish a statewide WBGT requirement. A school, district, league, or event may still have a binding local heat policy. Some entries rely on the Korey Stringer Institute’s state policy reviews; those links are labeled as policy reviews in the state panel.
Which schools and activities does this map cover?
The map covers high-school athletics in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. Association rules apply to their member schools; laws and public-school protocols can have different coverage. D.C.’s entry describes the DCIAA public-school league, not every school in the District. Alaska and Hawaii are included in the downloadable workbook.
National guidance and sport-specific playing rules are documented separately in the workbook. They do not automatically create a statewide mandate.
How current is this information?
The map classifications come from the September 11, 2026 audit. Moved source links have been updated where a working authority link was found. The source edition, audit confidence, and any source clarifications appear in each state’s expanded details.
Annual handbooks and online policies can change, so use the linked governing authority to confirm the rules for your activity. The original audit and report are preserved in the downloads.