Last offseason, the FCS Oversight Committee and Division I Council approved a recommendation to allow the subdivision to fully begin every season on Week 0, standardizing an annual 12-game regular season.
Previously, teams needed a waiver to play on Week 0. FCS teams no longer need one, while FBS teams are still required to have a waiver, although it’s likely the top DI football subdivision will eventually begin its full season on Week 0, making it the new Week 1.
Starting in the 2026 season, not only can the FCS begin a week before a majority of FBS teams, but the subdivision is also allowed to begin the Thursday of Week 0. So while most FBS teams kick off their season on Saturday, Sept. 5, some FCS teams start their season nine days beforehand on Thursday, Aug. 27. This could open some windows for more national TV games.
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The FBS currently has five games scheduled for Week 0 (Saturday, Aug. 29).
The FCS currently has 11 games scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, three games for Friday, Aug. 28, and more than 40 games for Saturday, Aug. 29.
While it isn’t a standout slate of games, we’ll get plenty of FCS action on our screens sooner compared to past seasons. The FCS Week 0 schedule can be found here.
