OMAHA — The NCAA Division I Cabinet approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The new rules allow Division I athletes five seasons of competition to be completed within a five-year period, with the rules set to take effect in the fall of 2026.

The five-year eligibility period begins with full-time enrollment or the academic year following the athlete's 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The new rules eliminate traditional redshirt years for extended eligibility, and eligibility extensions will no longer be granted for injuries. Exceptions to the five-year limit are permitted only for religious missions, maternity leave, or active-duty military service.

The new eligibility model will apply to all athletes who enroll in the 2027-28 academic year. Currently enrolled athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year may choose to apply the new age-based model or continue under previous eligibility rules. Incoming freshmen in the fall of 2026 also have the option to choose between the new age-based model or the previous eligibility rules.

National recruiting analyst Tom Loy commented on the potential impact of the changes. "In addition, I believe this rule change would have coaches putting a significant emphasis on retaining as much of the current roster as possible, especially upperclassmen, while focusing their attention slightly less on the transfer portal," Loy said. "With the opportunity to play five full seasons, they could have a roster full of 23-year-olds, for example, compared to 18- or 19-year-olds, and beyond that, potentially have a group full of talent they have developed in their system." Loy added, "Whether it works out or not, everyone would get a glimpse at where each prospect stands compared to others." He further stated, "The players would get the early playing time, the coaches would see who outperforms who, and then, without the ability to redshirt anyone, a prospect can continue to be developed if they want to stick around and compete."

The deadline for schools to submit hardship waiver or eligibility extension requests for current athletes to the NCAA is July 31, 2026. Waivers for current student-athletes or prospects will not be available after this date. Division I includes more than 350 schools and approximately 200,000 athletes.