NMAA Eligibility to Go Into Effect for 2026-2027 School Year

The measure is one of several changes to Section 6 of the NMAA Handbook. Member schools finalized the changes with a majority count of 67-60 in a referenda vote, after being approved by the NMAA Commission and NMAA Board of Directors.

Source: New Mexico Activities Association
By  JP Murrieta

Editors Note: As previously reported by Las Cruces Digest, member schools of the New Mexico Activities Association approved a new one-time transfer rule allowing students to transfer schools without penalty and remain immediately eligible for athletics and activities; however, Las Cruces Public Schools has announced it will continue to follow its existing transfer policies rather than adopt the additional flexibility permitted under the new NMAA rules. Additional information regarding the bylaw changes can be found in Las Cruces Digest‘s previous coverage: [“LCPS Will Not Adopt Proposed NMAA Transfer Rule Changes“].

Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, students may now transfer schools without penalty and be immediately eligible at the school of their choice on a first transfer (home school/charter school statutes still apply as do recruitment and undue influence rules). The measure is one of several changes to Section 6 of the NMAA Handbook. Member schools finalized the changes with a majority count of 67-60 in a referenda vote, after being approved by the NMAA Commission and NMAA Board of Directors.

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“This change reflects the membership’s desire to provide students and families with greater flexibility while maintaining the safeguards that protect the integrity of interscholastic activities,” said NMAA Executive Director Dusty Young. “The transfer process has been one of the most discussed topics among our schools in recent years, and this adjustment creates a pathway for students making their first transfer. At the same time, our recruitment, undue influence, and home school and charter school regulations remain firmly in place to ensure a fair and equitable competitive environment for all member schools.”