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Division I Football Championship

Division I FCS · National playoff

Final: January 5, 2026
Final site: Nashville, TN

Rounds and bracket

Follow the winner’s link to the next round.

First Round

Second Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Championship

Montana St.35
Illinois St.34

January 5, 2026

(OT)

Format and selection

NCAA championship selection

24 teams in a single-elimination playoff. Recorded games are organized by round.

  1. The NCAA championship committee selected and placed the field under that season’s championship regulations.
  2. The recorded bracket documents the participants and advancement. Earlier field sizes, automatic qualifiers and seeding arrangements should not be inferred from the current format.

These are documented selection procedures. They do not explain why a particular participant was chosen unless the source expressly records that decision.

History

The NCAA has organized this national championship since 1978.

A single-elimination bracket determines the champion. The field size and qualifying arrangements changed over time.

Sources and coverage

Previous editions

2024Division I Football Championship2023Division I Football Championship2022Division I Football Championship2021Division I Football Championship2020Division I Football Championship2019Division I Football Championship2018Division I Football Championship2017Division I Football Championship2016Division I Football Championship2015Division I Football Championship2014Division I Football Championship2013Division I Football Championship2012Division I Football Championship2011Division I Football Championship2010Division I Football Championship2009Division I Football Championship2008Division I Football Championship2007Division I Football Championship2006Division I Football Championship2005Division I Football Championship2004Division I Football Championship2003Division I Football Championship2002Division I Football Championship2001Division I Football Championship2000Division I Football Championship1999Division I Football Championship1998Division I Football Championship1997Division I Football Championship1996Division I Football Championship1995Division I Football Championship1994Division I Football Championship1993Division I Football Championship1992Division I Football Championship1991Division I Football Championship1990Division I Football Championship1989Division I Football Championship1988Division I Football Championship1987Division I Football Championship1986Division I Football Championship1985Division I Football Championship1984Division I Football Championship1983Division I Football Championship1982Division I Football Championship1981Division I Football Championship1980Division I Football Championship1979Division I Football Championship1978Division I Football Championship