The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Friday, August 28, adopted proposals to modify the FBS calendar, aiming to provide greater flexibility for coaches and student-athletes. These changes, if approved by the Division I Cabinet at its October 6-7 meeting, would take effect on January 1.
A key modification involves out-of-season activities, replacing current rules for spring practices and summer activities. The new model allows FBS schools to conduct two out-of-season practice periods, totaling 21 on-field practices. These combined periods cannot exceed seven weeks, with neither individual period lasting more than five weeks. Additionally, schools must designate at least nine discretionary or voluntary weeks where required athletically related activities are not permitted for student-athletes.
The preseason practice period is also set for adjustment, effective for the 2027 season. It will consist of 27 calendar days for 21 practices, a reduction of four days and four practices from the previous 25. This change acknowledges the additional practice opportunities available during the spring and summer under the new out-of-season model.
Further calendar adjustments include a change to the January notification-of-transfer period, reducing it from 15 to 10 days, beginning the first business day after January 1. A new FBS first-contest date has also been adopted, starting in the 2027 season, with the season beginning on the Thursday of what is currently designated Week 0 and concluding on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Recommendations for changes to the off-campus recruiting model are also slated for review by the Division I Cabinet in October, with a potential January 1 effective date if adopted.
The process of revising the football calendar was a collaborative effort, involving the committee and the American Football Coaches Association, which initially recommended changes in June 2025. Josh Brooks, FBS Oversight Committee vice chair and director of athletics at Georgia, chaired the FBS Calendar Subgroup responsible for crafting these modifications over the past nine months. Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, a committee member and president of the AFCA board of trustees, expressed that the legislation improves out-of-season activities, allowing for more flexibility in team building and benefiting student-athlete development. Sam Edwards, a former Michigan State football student-athlete and committee member, emphasized the importance of the student-athlete voice in shaping these changes, noting the shift toward flexibility and program-specific scheduling will be beneficial.
