FBS Oversight Committee approves legislation to modify football calendar

Key Points:

• The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee approved new proposals to change the FBS calendar, aiming to offer schools more flexibility for coaches and student-athletes, pending approval by the Division I Cabinet in October 2026.
• The new out-of-season activities model replaces spring and summer practice rules, allowing two practice periods totaling 21 on-field practices over a maximum of seven weeks, with at least nine weeks designated as voluntary or discretionary for student-athletes.
• The preseason practice period will be shortened to 27 calendar days with 21 practices starting in the 2027 season, reflecting the increased practice opportunities in spring and summer.
• The notification-of-transfer period in January will be reduced from 15 to 10 days beginning the first business day after January 1, effective immediately.
• Additional calendar changes include a new FBS first-contest date starting in 2027, with the season beginning on the Thursday of Week 0 and ending after Thanksgiving; proposed off-campus recruiting changes will be reviewed in October, and a new transparent rules process will be implemented for the 2026-27 academic year.