INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA Division I Cabinet approved several changes to the college football calendar, including the standardization of the Bowl Subdivision (FBS) regular season to 14 weeks. The Cabinet also approved immediate bowl eligibility for teams reclassifying from the Championship Subdivision (FCS) to FBS.

Starting in fall 2027, teams will be permitted to schedule up to 12 regular-season games within the 14-week season, which concludes after Thanksgiving. This 14-week structure incorporates two bye weeks and reserves standalone weekends for conference championship games and the Army-Navy game.

The update to bowl eligibility removes a previous two-year waiting period for teams transitioning to FBS. This change is scheduled to take effect in the fall of 2026. North Dakota State and Sacramento State are slated to make their FBS debuts in the fall of 2026.

Additionally, the FBS and FCS oversight committees proposed shortening the January transfer portal window to 10 days, down from the current 15 days. This proposed 10-day window would begin on the first business day following January 1.

The oversight committees also proposed a new model for spring and summer activities. Under this model, spring drills would shift to two sessions, totaling 21 on-field practices, capped at seven weeks. Currently, teams in both divisions are allowed 15 spring practices over 34 days. The FCS proposal includes enabling teams to hold a joint spring practice with another four-year institution.

For summer activities, the proposal outlines that each school would designate at least nine discretionary weeks for players with no mandatory activities. Currently, FBS and FCS teams can mandate eight weeks of strength and conditioning training and film study during the summer, without on-field drills.

The Cabinet directed its staff to continue addressing concerns related to athlete tampering and to investigate an enhanced agent registry system. The oversight committees are scheduled to vote on the proposed spring and summer activity changes in August. If adopted, these proposals would be implemented on January 1.