Texas UIL Heat Policy and WBGT Guidelines
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) sets heat limits for high school athletics by Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Here are the activity limits at each level, and how Sports Safe applies them to your fields.
Outdoor practice stops (Class 2)
89.8°F WBGT and above
Outdoor practice stops (Class 3)
92.1°F WBGT and above
Texas WBGT activity chart
UIL publishes two charts. UIL splits the state for acclimatization: Class 2 applies to the Panhandle, South Plains, and Permian Basin and starts restrictions at a lower WBGT. Class 3 covers the rest of the state. Sports Safe picks the chart from the field's county using its own reading of UIL's regional map, which is not an official UIL list. Confirm your school's class with UIL, and change the chart in the field's settings if it differs.
Class 2
Normal activity
Under 79.7°F
Practice limit: None stated
Normal activities. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 3 minutes each.
Use discretion
79.7 to 84.6°F
Practice limit: None stated
Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk athletes closely. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each.
Modify activity
84.7 to 87.6°F
Practice limit: 2 hours
Maximum outdoor practice time is 2 hours. Provide at least 4 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each.
Equipment: Football/Field Hockey: helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts only during practice.
High risk (minimal activity)
87.7 to 89.7°F
Practice limit: 1 hour
Maximum outdoor practice time is 1 hour. 20 minutes of rest must be distributed throughout that hour.
Equipment: No protective equipment may be worn. No conditioning activities.
Cancel outdoor activity
89.8°F and above
Practice limit: No outdoor practice
No outdoor workouts or contests. Delay practice or competition until a cooler WBGT is reached.
| WBGT | Level | Practice limit | What the chart says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 79.7°F | Normal activity | None stated | Normal activities. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 3 minutes each. |
| 79.7 to 84.6°F | Use discretion | None stated | Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk athletes closely. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each. |
| 84.7 to 87.6°F | Modify activity | 2 hours | Maximum outdoor practice time is 2 hours. Provide at least 4 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each. Equipment: Football/Field Hockey: helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts only during practice. |
| 87.7 to 89.7°F | High risk (minimal activity) | 1 hour | Maximum outdoor practice time is 1 hour. 20 minutes of rest must be distributed throughout that hour. Equipment: No protective equipment may be worn. No conditioning activities. |
| 89.8°F and above | Cancel outdoor activity | No outdoor practice | No outdoor workouts or contests. Delay practice or competition until a cooler WBGT is reached. |
Class 3
Normal activity
Under 82.0°F
Practice limit: None stated
Normal activities. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 3 minutes each.
Use discretion
82.0 to 86.9°F
Practice limit: None stated
Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk athletes closely. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each.
Modify activity
87.0 to 90.0°F
Practice limit: 2 hours
Maximum outdoor practice time is 2 hours. Provide at least 4 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each.
Equipment: Football/Field Hockey: helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts only during practice.
High risk (minimal activity)
90.1 to 92.0°F
Practice limit: 1 hour
Maximum outdoor practice time is 1 hour. 20 minutes of rest must be distributed throughout that hour.
Equipment: No protective equipment may be worn. No conditioning activities.
Cancel outdoor activity
92.1°F and above
Practice limit: No outdoor practice
No outdoor workouts or contests. Delay practice or competition until a cooler WBGT is reached.
| WBGT | Level | Practice limit | What the chart says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 82.0°F | Normal activity | None stated | Normal activities. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 3 minutes each. |
| 82.0 to 86.9°F | Use discretion | None stated | Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk athletes closely. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each. |
| 87.0 to 90.0°F | Modify activity | 2 hours | Maximum outdoor practice time is 2 hours. Provide at least 4 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each. Equipment: Football/Field Hockey: helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts only during practice. |
| 90.1 to 92.0°F | High risk (minimal activity) | 1 hour | Maximum outdoor practice time is 1 hour. 20 minutes of rest must be distributed throughout that hour. Equipment: No protective equipment may be worn. No conditioning activities. |
| 92.1°F and above | Cancel outdoor activity | No outdoor practice | No outdoor workouts or contests. Delay practice or competition until a cooler WBGT is reached. |
Key points
- Since August 1, 2026, WBGT monitoring is required for all outdoor UIL athletic and marching band activities.
- Take a reading within 15 minutes before practice starts, then every 30 minutes during practice.
- A rapid cooling zone (cold water immersion) is required at 80°F WBGT or higher, at practices and contests.
- The chart's time and equipment limits are written for practices, not contests.
Common questions
- At what WBGT does outdoor practice stop in Texas?
- Using the UIL heat policy, Sports Safe stops outdoor practice at 89.8°F WBGT on the Class 2 chart, and at 92.1°F WBGT on the Class 3 chart.
- How long can practice last at each heat level in Texas?
- Under the UIL heat policy, the practice time limits are: Class 2 chart: Modify activity, 84.7 to 87.6°F: 2 hours; High risk (minimal activity), 87.7 to 89.7°F: 1 hour. Class 3 chart: Modify activity, 87.0 to 90.0°F: 2 hours; High risk (minimal activity), 90.1 to 92.0°F: 1 hour. Levels not listed have no time limit stated, and at the top level outdoor practice stops.
- Does Sports Safe use the heat chart for Texas automatically?
- Yes. Sports Safe uses the UIL charts for fields in Texas. It picks the Class 2 or Class 3 chart from the field's county, using its own reading of UIL's regional map. You can choose a different chart for any field in its settings.
How Sports Safe uses the Texas chart
Sports Safe estimates WBGT for each of your fields from current weather, checks it against this chart, and alerts you when a field moves into a stricter level. On the Organization plan, coaches can keep a timestamped log of meter readings and the actions taken.
An app estimate supports your decisions but is not a WBGT meter. Where your association requires readings from an approved instrument, use one for the reading of record.
Source
Thresholds checked against the UIL's published plan. UIL publishes the full chart as an image, so confirm the details against it. View the source. Last reviewed July 23, 2026.
Sports Safe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University Interscholastic League. Policies change, so always confirm the current rules with your association and follow your school's emergency action plan.