The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Thursday approved changes to the spring practice schedule, summer activities and preseason. These changes now await approval by the full Division I Cabinet to go into effect for 2027.
According to the NCAA, the new rules would allow two out-of-season practice periods not to exceed 21 on-field practices or seven total weeks. Schools must designate at least nine weeks when athletics activities are not required.
Along with these changes, the committee also voted to shorten the preseason practice period from 25 days to 21 days within a 27-day window. The committee noted that due to expanded spring and summer training opportunities, the longer preseason was not necessary.
Finally, the group also voted to shorten the January transfer window from 15 days to 10 days.
“The work of the calendar subcommittee in building off the American Football Coaches Association’s recommendations has been critical in establishing clarity with the college football calendar,” said Josh Brooks, FBS Oversight Committee vice chair and director of athletics at Georgia. “We dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy to ensure we built a calendar that best fits the needs of our coaches and student-athletes. I am proud of this work and appreciate the efforts of our group, which included athletics directors, coaches, student-athletes and commissioners from various schools and conferences.”
Earlier this year, the group also voted on changes to the full season schedule, moving the official start of college football season in 2027 to what is now considered “Week 0” and maintaining the end date as the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
“The new playing and practice schedule is a great step forward for our game,” said committee member and Vanderbilt University head coach Clark Lea. “This will allow for more flexibility for team building in the spring and summer and will benefit the development of our student-athletes. I am grateful for the partnership between the AFCA and the NCAA and look forward to continued collaboration to advance college football.”
