Get our free printable 2026 FCS playoff bracket, a blank 24-team bracket you can fill in as the field is revealed on Selection Sunday. The FCS decides its champion on the field: 24 teams, 16 seeds, campus-site games, and a national title decided January 11, 2027 in Nashville.
2026 FCS Playoff: Quick Facts
- Field: 24 teams, 16 seeded.
- Byes: the top 8 seeds get a first-round bye.
- Hosting: higher seeds host on campus through the semifinals.
- Rounds: First Round, Second Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship.
- National Championship: January 11, 2027, FirstBank Stadium, Nashville.
- Printable: free blank bracket PDF.
How the 2026 FCS Playoff Bracket Works
The FCS playoff is a 24-team, single-elimination tournament. The selection committee seeds the top 16 teams and awards the top 8 a first-round bye. Seeds 9 through 16 host first-round games against the eight unseeded qualifiers, and the winners advance to face the byes in the second round. From there it is quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship, with the higher seed hosting on campus every round until the title game.
Key 2026 FCS Playoff Dates
The 24-team field is announced on Selection Sunday in late November, the First Round is played in late November, and the bracket runs through December on campus sites. The two semifinal winners meet for the national championship on January 11, 2027 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Print the bracket above and fill it in as the seeds drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams make the 2026 FCS playoff?
Twenty-four teams make the FCS playoff. The committee seeds the top 16, and the top 8 seeds receive a first-round bye.
When is the 2026 FCS national championship?
The national championship for the 2026 season is January 11, 2027 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
How does the FCS bracket differ from the FBS College Football Playoff?
The FCS uses a 24-team bracket with campus-site games, while the FBS uses a 12-team College Football Playoff. The FCS has crowned its champion through a playoff for decades.
Is the FCS playoff bracket free to print?
Yes. Download the blank printable 24-team bracket PDF from the button near the top of this page and fill it in on Selection Sunday.
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