Are You Ready for the SHOCKING Upsets in the 2025 FCS Football Championship? Discover the Must-See Matchups NOW!

Staff

1 week ago · Updated 1 week ago

The 2025-26 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs are set to kick off with an exciting 24-team bracket, beginning on Saturday, November 29, and culminating in the national championship game on Monday, January 5, 2026. With a format that includes the top 16 teams seeded, the anticipation is building for a postseason filled with thrilling matchups and intense competition.

The FCS Championship Committee unveiled the playoff bracket on Sunday, November 23, 2025, during a live selection show on ESPNU at 12 p.m. ET. This year, eleven conferences, along with some conference partnerships, have secured automatic bids to the playoffs. The committee will also select 13 at-large bids, ensuring a diverse and competitive field to vie for the national title.

Fans eager for the full championship bracket can easily access it through the NCAA's official website. This year's playoff format means that the top eight seeded teams will receive a much-coveted bye to the second round, while the remaining teams will face off in the first round.

📰 Table of Contents

FCS Championship Schedule
Historical Context

FCS Championship Schedule

The first round of the playoffs will unfold on Saturday, November 29, and will be broadcasted on ESPN+. Following that, the second round is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, also on ESPN+. The action continues with the quarterfinals taking place over two days: Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13. ESPN and ABC will cover these crucial games, with prime-time slots allocated on December 13 for key matchups.

As teams progress, the semifinals will occur on Saturday, December 20, with critical games broadcast on ABC and ESPN2. The climax of the tournament will be the national championship game, held at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, TN, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on January 5. This year's championship game promises to be a showcase of the best talent in FCS football.

Historical Context

The storied history of the FCS Championship is marked by dominant performances from teams like North Dakota State, the reigning champions. They claimed their tenth title in 2024 with a narrow 35-32 victory over Montana State. The championship is not just about titles; it represents the culmination of hard work, strategy, and the spirit of competition among students who give their all on the field.

Here's a snapshot of FCS champions and runner-ups 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

With the playoffs just around the corner, college football fans across the nation are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying postseason. As the best teams from around the country compete for glory, the spirit of college athletics continues to shine through, showcasing not just the talent, but the dedication and passion of the student-athletes involved. For those wishing to catch every moment of the action, the schedule is clear, and the stakes have never been higher.