September Sports Spotlight: California’s Biggest High School Showcases and Tournaments

September is the month when high school sports start to heat up across California. From nationally watched football showdowns to elite cross country meets, this month’s calendar gives California high school athletes plenty of opportunities to compete and showcase their skills.

Remember, the fall season has only just begun, so September marks the start of competitions, tournaments, and meets. However, the month also gives athletes a chance to showcase their skills and make a mark in their respective sports.

Here are some of the biggest events to watch in September.

De La Salle 151 Football Showcase — September 26

This is one of the biggest high school football events in California in September.

Held at the University of California’s Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, the showcase will feature De La Salle-Concord facing Corona Centennial in the headline game of the inaugural 151 Football Showcase on Sept. 26. St. Mary’s-Stockton and Marin Catholic-Kentfield will meet at 11 a.m., followed by De La Salle and Centennial at 2 p.m.

Woodbridge Cross Country Classic — September 18–19

Cross country athletes can look forward to the 45th annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, held at Irvine’s Great Park on Sept. 18–19. This popular meet brings together some of the top high school runners for two days of racing.

Bucs Bash Girls Volleyball — September 18–19

San Diego will be a volleyball hotspot in September when Mission Bay High School hosts the 22nd Annual Bucs Bash on Sept. 18–19. The 2026 tournament is scheduled to feature a 24-team varsity field.

In the past, the volleyball tournament has featured three games, with a best-of-three format on the first day, followed by bracket play on the 19th, with a minimum of two games guaranteed.

Santa Barbara Invitational — September 10–12

Hosted by Santa Barbara-area high schools, the Santa Barbara Invitational is expected to feature several top water polo programs, including Mater Dei, Corona del Mar, Dos Pueblos, Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Huntington Beach, Bellarmine, and Loyola. The tournament is an approved CIF Southern Section event.

More September Tournaments to Watch

The calendar is packed beyond these headline events.

Southern California

CIF Southern Section’s September schedule includes varsity tournaments in girls volleyball, boys water polo, girls flag football, cross country, and girls tennis. Among them are the South Coast Water Polo Tournament, Freeway Games volleyball tournament, Santa Barbara Girls Volleyball Tournament of Champions, South Bay Showdown in girls flag football, and the Chaffey Cross Country Invitational.

Central California

Central California will also have plenty of early-season competition.

The Garces Memorial Boys JV Water Polo Tournament is scheduled for September 25–26 in Bakersfield. The two-day tournament will bring together JV boys water polo teams from across the Central Valley for a weekend of competition at Garces Memorial High School.

For Central Valley athletes, these early-season tournaments provide an opportunity to gain experience, face new competition, and prepare for league and postseason competition later in the fall.

Photo courtesy of Alex Valladares