Bold takeaway: The FCS is shifting to start its entire regular season earlier, with Week 0 becoming the new norm and more games landing on Thursday to boost national TV opportunities. And this is the part most people miss: the change affects scheduling, waivers, and how fans watch early-season ball.
Here’s what’s changing and why it matters:
- Last offseason, the FCS Oversight Committee and the Division I Council approved a rule letting the subdivision start its season in Week 0, standardizing a 12-game regular season. Previously, Week 0 games required a waiver.
- As a result, FCS teams no longer need a waiver to play in Week 0. By contrast, FBS teams still require a waiver today, though it’s widely anticipated that FBS might adopt the same Week 0 start in the future, effectively moving Week 0 to Week 1 for the top DI subdivision.
- Beginning with the 2026 season, the FCS can begin a week before most FBS teams and is even allowed to start on Thursday of Week 0. Practically, that means some FCS programs will kick off on Thursday, August 27, while many FBS teams won’t start until Saturday, September 5.
- This early-start flexibility could open new windows for national TV games and broader exposure for FCS programs.
Upcoming schedules worth noting:
- For Week 0, the FBS has five games slated for Saturday, August 29.
- The FCS currently lists 11 games on Thursday, August 27, three on Friday, August 28, and a robust slate—over 40 games—on Saturday, August 29.
In short, fans will see more FCS action earlier than in previous seasons, thanks to the revamped Week 0 framework. If you’re curious about the full lineup, you can check the FCS Week 0 schedule on FBSchedules here: https://fbschedules.com/fcs-schedule/.
Discussion prompt: Do you think starting Week 0 earlier and shifting more games to Thursday will help or hurt the competitive balance and viewership for FCS teams? Share your thoughts in the comments.
