The NCAA has officially released game times and broadcast assignments for the upcoming Division I FCS football postseason, outlining a national television slate that places the championship subdivision squarely in the spotlight across ESPN platforms and ABC.
FCS Playoff Quarterfinal action kicks off Friday, December 11, with Game 1 slated for 9:00pm ET on ESPN. The remaining three quarterfinal matchups follow on Saturday, December 12, featuring kickoff windows at noon ET (ESPN), 8:00pm ET (ESPN), and a to be determined start on ESPN+.
The semifinals will be held Saturday, December 19, delivering a doubleheader with games at 4:00pm ET on ABC and 8:00pm ET on ESPN2, ensuring broad national reach as four teams vie for a spot in the title game.
The postseason culminates Monday, January 11, 2027, with the FCS National Championship kicking off at 7:30pm ET on ESPN. The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., for the second consecutive season.
The 2026 FCS Football Championship Selection Show will deliver fans the entire 24-team bracket on Sunday, November 22 beginning at noon ET on ESPNU. First Round games begin on Saturday, Nov. 28, followed by Second Round action on Saturday, Dec. 5.
With the 2026 FCS football season underway, #FCSPlayoffs and #FCSChampionship GAME TIMES ARE ANNOUNCED 🏈👏
🎟️ https://t.co/lkR9AroeXA#FCS pic.twitter.com/9wmmaRz5we
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) September 2, 2026
@KevinKelleyFB,
The first & second Rounds r as exciting & more hopeful than the quarterfinal.
All Conferences received their 1 or more Championship bids.
95% of years there are upsets in the first & second rounds.
The unusual but exciting model of this was 2025’s IL State Redbirds playing each round on the road & winning, then playing the Championship game into overtime versus MT State Bobcats & losing on the tie breakers.