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The 2025-26 FCS playoffs consist of a 24-team bracket with play starting on Saturday, Nov. 29 and concluding on Monday, Jan. 5. The top 16 teams seeded and the top eight seeds receive automatic byes to the second round, while the rest of the 24-team field (the remaining 16 teams) play in the first round.

Here’s everything you need to know for the Division I Football Championship postseason.

FCS championship bracket

Click or tap here to view the bracket

FCS bracket

 

FCS championship schedule

All times Eastern

Quarterfinals

Friday, December 12

Saturday, December 13

Semifinals

Saturday, December 20

Semifinal 1 | 4 p.m. ET | ABC
Semifinal 2 | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2

National Championship 

FCS championship rounds, dates

Selection show: 12 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 23 on ESPNU
First round: Saturday, Nov. 29

Second round: Saturday, Dec. 6

Quarterfinals: Friday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 13
Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 20 
National championship: Monday, Jan. 5 on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET

FCS selections

The bracket selections for the 2025-26 FCS Championship was on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The bracket was be revealed via a selection show on ESPNU at 12 p.m. ET and a selections release. 

Eleven conferences (or conference partnerships/alliances) earn automatic bids to the playoffs. The FCS Championship Committee selects the remaining 13 at-large bids.

AUTOMATIC BIDS: Click or tap here to see all 11 of the clinched auto-bids

FCS championship history 

North Dakota Dakota State is the reigning national champion, winning its 10 title in 2024 with a 35-32 win over Montana State. Here’s every FCS champion and runner-up from the past decade:

Year
Champion
Coach
Score
Runner-Up
Site

2024
North Dakota State
Tim Polasek
35-32
Montana State
Frisco, Texas

2023
South Dakota State
Jimmy Rogers
23-3
Montana 
Frisco, Texas

2022
South Dakota State
John Stiegelmeier
45-21
North Dakota State
Frisco, Texas

2021
North Dakota State
Matt Entz
38-10
Montana State
Frisco, Texas

2020
Sam Houston
K.C. Keeler
23-21
South Dakota State
Frisco, Texas

2019
North Dakota State
Matt Entz
28-20
James Madison
Frisco, Texas

2018
North Dakota State
Chris Klieman
38-24
Eastern Washington
Frisco, Texas

2017
North Dakota State
Chris Klieman
17-13
James Madison
Frisco, Texas

2016
James Madison
Mike Houston
28-14
Youngstown State
Frisco, Texas

2015
North Dakota State
Chris Klieman
37-10
Jacksonville State
Frisco, Texas

Click here for a full list of every champion since 1978.  

Stan Becton joined NCAA.com in 2021 and has since served as a college football, FCS football, track and field, cross country and HBCU beat reporter. He has covered numerous NCAA championship events, including the FCS Championship, DI Track & Field Championships and Men’s Frozen Four. Additionally, he has covered the College Football Playoff and HBCU sporting events like the Celebration Bowl, MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Legacy Classic. Stan graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, earning a degree in Professional Writing and playing football as a five-year letterman. You can follow him on Twitter @stan_becton.

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