NCAA approves 15-day January transfer portal window starting 2025

The NCAA has approved a new single transfer window for Division I FBS football players, eliminating the previous two-window system. This new portal will be open from January 2-16, 2026, providing a 15-day period for players to enter the transfer portal, which is longer than the previously proposed 10 days. Additionally, players on teams participating in postseason games on or after January 12 will have a five-day window after their last game to enter the portal, primarily affecting those in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The changes aim to reduce the chaos of the previous December window, which overlapped with bowl games, high school signing day, and coaching changes. Players are not required to commit to a new team immediately upon entering the portal, but must enter during the designated window. The NCAA will continue to discuss rules related to transfer notifications following head coach departures.