NCAA Approves 12-Game FCS Football Season Starting in 2026

Beginning in 2026, Championship Subdivision football clubs will play one more regular season game.

The one-game extension to the regular season was granted by the NCAA during its summer meetings on Wednesday, June 25. The 2026 college football season will mark the beginning of the shift. The Division I Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee issued the proposal during a meeting in Indianapolis in May.

“At the recommendation of the Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee, the council adopted expedited legislation to change the first contest date for FCS football, starting in the 2026 season,” the NCAA release reads. “Moving forward, FCS programs will be able to compete in 12 regular-season games every year, with the regular season starting 13 weeks before the FCS championship selections date. The move provides programs greater scheduling flexibility and eliminates the first contest date exceptions.”

In years where there were 14 Saturdays between the earliest acceptable playing date and the final playing date in November, FCS teams were allowed to play 12 games under prior regulations. Teams were allowed to play 11 games in all other years.

The FCS football season will begin 13 weeks prior to the championship bracket’s release, which takes place on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as per the revised recommendation and regulation. The Bowl Subdivision, which has played 12 games a season since 2006, is now more closely matched with the FCS scheduling format.

Teams will have greater chances to play buy-in games with larger schools, especially FBS opponents, thanks to the 12-game schedule. These games can have an effect on athletic budgets for programs. In order to qualify for the playoffs and contend for a national championship, teams will need to play an additional game as a result of the extra game.