Get ready for an exciting journey through the 2025-26 FCS football playoffs! This season promises to be a thrilling ride, with a 24-team bracket and a unique twist: the top 16 teams are seeded, and the top 8 receive automatic byes to the second round, creating an intriguing dynamic from the get-go.
The selection process for the 2025-26 FCS Championship took place on November 23, 2025, and the bracket was unveiled on ESPNU, revealing the path to glory for these teams. Eleven conferences earned automatic bids, while the remaining 13 at-large bids were carefully selected by the FCS Championship Committee.
Automatic Bids: Check out the full list of clinched auto-bids here.
Bracket Breakdown: Dive into the bracket and explore the potential matchups.
Schedule Spotlight: Mark your calendars for the first round on November 29, where eight exciting games will kick off the tournament. The action continues on December 6 for the second round, with some mouth-watering potential matchups. The quarterfinals will be a two-day affair, with games on December 12 and 13, leading up to the highly anticipated semifinals on December 20. Finally, the national championship game will be held on January 5, where the ultimate champion will be crowned at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, TN.
FCS Championship History: North Dakota State is the reigning champion, having claimed their 10th title in 2024 with a thrilling 35-32 victory over Montana State. Take a look at the past decade's champions and runners-up, a who's who of FCS football excellence.
FCS vs. DII and SEC: Don't forget to follow the 2025 NCAA DII football championship, as well as the Big Ten and SEC Championship Games, for a full dose of college football excitement.
Get ready to cheer on your favorite teams and witness the drama unfold! Who will emerge as the 2025-26 FCS champion? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: it's going to be an unforgettable season!
