NCAA FCS Seeks Annual 12-Game Football Season Starting 2026

The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) is set to allow teams to play 12 regular-season games annually starting in 2026, pending final approval by the Division I Council. Currently, FCS teams play 11 games in some years depending on the calendar, with 12-game seasons only permitted when there are 14 Saturdays between the season's start and the playoff selection show. The proposed change would standardize the season start date to the final Thursday in August, 13 weeks before the FCS championship bracket release, aligning the FCS schedule with that of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), which has had a consistent 12-game season since 2006. This move aims to enhance consistency and provide FCS student-athletes the same number of regular-season opportunities as their FBS counterparts. The recommendation has already been approved by the FCS oversight committee and is expected to pass at the upcoming NCAA Division I Council meeting. The change reflects an effort to standardize scheduling and improve the overall experience for FCS programs and athletes.