The NCAA has formally published updated bylaws governing the start of the regular season for both the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), clarifying how early teams may begin competition beginning in 2027.
In June, the Division I Cabinet approved an FBS Oversight Committee proposal standardizing a 14‑week regular season for FBS programs starting in fall 2027. Under this model, the FBS season will always span 14 weeks—featuring a 12‑game schedule and two bye weeks—and will continue to conclude on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
As a result, the season’s opening weekend shifts earlier in most years to the weekend prior to Labor Day, commonly known as Week Zero.
Updated FBS “First Contest” Bylaw
Current Bylaw
17.13.4.1 First Contest — Bowl Subdivision. [FBS] In bowl subdivision football, an institution shall not play its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition before the Thursday preceding Labor Day (see Figure 17‑2). (Adopted: 6/25/25 effective 8/1/26)
Future Bylaw
17.13.4.1 First Contest — Bowl Subdivision. In bowl subdivision football, an institution shall not play its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition before the Thursday preceding the Saturday that is 14 weeks before the first Saturday in December (see Figure 17‑2). (Adopted: 6/25/25 effective 8/1/26, Revised: 6/24/26 effective 8/1/27)
This change locks in the start of the 2027 FBS season as Thursday, August 26. The 2028 season will begin on Thursday, August 24, and the 2029 season on Thursday, August 23.
Week Zero will continue to exist in years when the calendar produces 15 weeks including the weekend prior to Labor Day and the final Saturday in November. The next years that will occur is 2030, 2031, 2036, 2041, and 2042.
Hawaii and teams playing in Hawaii remain eligible to open their seasons in Week Zero under exception 17.13.4.1.1. Teams playing internationally may also open early under exception 17.13.4.1.2. Any other program would require an NCAA exemption.
17.13.4.1.1 Exception — Institutions That Compete in Hawaii — Bowl Subdivision. [FBS]
An institution scheduled to play a regular‑season game in Hawaii may play its first permissible contest on the Saturday prior to the Thursday preceding Labor Day. If its first opponent is not located in Hawaii, that opponent may also open on that Saturday. (Adopted: 4/28/16 effective 8/1/16, Revised: 6/25/25 effective 8/1/26)
17.13.4.1.2 Exception — In‑Season Foreign Competition — Bowl Subdivision. [FBS]
An institution scheduled to play a regular‑season game in a foreign country may play its first permissible contest on the Saturday prior to the Thursday preceding Labor Day. Institutions using this exception must provide student‑athletes five additional days off from all countable athletically related activities during the declared playing season. (Adopted: 5/19/22 effective 8/1/22, Revised: 6/25/25 effective 8/1/26)
Updated FCS “First Contest” Bylaw
The FCS bylaw introduces a notable shift, moving the subdivision’s permissible start date two weeks prior to Labor Day weekend in most years.
17.13.4.2 First Contest — Championship Subdivision. [FCS]
In championship subdivision football, an institution shall not play its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition before the Thursday that is 13 weeks before the Thursday preceding the FCS Championship selection date (see Figure 17‑2). (Adopted: 6/25/25 effective 8/1/26)
For the 2026 season, that date is Thursday, August 20, based on the FCS Selection Show scheduled for Sunday, November 22. Because the rule was adopted in late June, schools did not have time to adjust their schedules and will instead open on Thursday, August 27.
Beginning in 2027, FCS teams may open on Thursday, August 19. In 2028, the start date moves to Thursday, August 17. No games are currently scheduled for those weeks, and it remains unclear whether programs will take advantage of the earlier window.
Start Dates for the Next Five Seasons
FBS Start Dates
2027: Thursday, Aug. 26
2028: Thursday, Aug. 24
2029: Thursday, Aug. 23
2030: Thursday, Aug. 29
2031: Thursday, Aug. 28
FCS Start Dates
2027: Thursday, Aug. 19
2028: Thursday, Aug. 17
2029: Thursday, Aug. 16
2030: Thursday, Aug. 22
2031: Thursday, Aug. 21
