NCAA Advances Age-Based Five-Year Eligibility Model for Division I

The Division I Board of Directors has recommended that the Division I Cabinet advance an age-based eligibility proposal. Under the plan, student-athletes receive five years of competition beginning the academic year after they turn 19 or graduate high school, whichever occurs first. The rule will not apply retroactively; athletes completing eligibility in the 2025-26 season remain subject to the existing four-season-in-five-year limit. The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on May 22, with a possible vote and implementation targeted for the 2026-27 academic year.

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Currently, Division I permits four seasons of competition within a five-year window, with redshirt waivers and COVID-related extensions providing flexibility. The proposed model would be the first major eligibility overhaul in decades and reflects the NCAA’s recent push to streamline governance and decision-making.

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• Charlie Baker, NCAA President

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• Tim Sands, President of Virginia Tech and chair of the Division I Board of Directors

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• Sam Edwards, Michigan State football player and board member

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• Ryan Day, Ohio State head football coach

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• Division I Cabinet and Division I Board of Directors

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• Eligibility starts after the athlete’s 19th birthday or high-school graduation, whichever is earlier.

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• No retroactive application; 2025-26 athletes keep the four-season rule.

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• Exceptions may be granted for pregnancy, military service, and religious missions.

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• The NCAA will retain degree-completion funding guarantees for up to ten years after eligibility ends.

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

NCAA President Charlie Baker said the proposal “is not expected to include athletes who graduated or exhausted their eligibility in the 2025-26 season,” and expressed optimism that the rule will pass despite coaches’ concerns about logistical challenges. Tim Sands emphasized that “the time is now to reform the period of eligibility rules to provide Division I student-athletes and our schools clear and consistent standards that align with current college athletes’ experiences.” Sam Edwards highlighted the benefit for football, noting the model would let coaches use their full roster without preserving redshirt slots. The NCAA’s release reiterated a “full-speed-ahead” directive to the Cabinet and confirmed that existing rules will remain for the 2025-26 cohort.

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

Several coaches warned that the shift could be “enormously challenging” for roster planning and fairness to athletes who have built careers around redshirt options. The lack of a grandfather clause means current players will not receive the five-year benefit, raising equity questions for those nearing the end of their eligibility.

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• “If you've used up your eligibility, you've used it up,” — Charlie Baker, NCAA President

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• “The time is now to reform the period of eligibility rules to provide Division I student-athletes and our schools clear and consistent standards that align with current college athletes’ experiences,” — Tim Sands, President, Virginia Tech; Chair, Division I Board of Directors

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• “I think it’s the right thing to do, for sure,” — Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State football

NCAA DI Board of Directors recommends to advance age-based eligibility rules

• “That's going to be across the board.” — Charlie Baker, NCAA President

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The Division I Cabinet will convene on May 22 to consider a vote. If approved, the age-based eligibility model will take effect for the 2026-27 season, accompanied by finalized exception criteria and continued degree-completion funding guarantees.

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