If you’ve been following college football and wondering what those three letters mean, you’re not alone.

FCS stands for Football Championship Subdivision, one of two subdivisions within NCAA Division I football.

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The other subdivision is the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), home to programs such as Alabama, Ohio State and Texas.

The biggest difference isn’t necessarily the talent on the field. It’s how each subdivision determines its national champion.

What’s The Difference Between FCS And FBS Football?

Both subdivisions compete at the NCAA Division I level, but their championship formats differ.

FBS teams compete in the 12-team College Football Playoff. FCS teams compete in a 24-team NCAA playoff bracket, with 11 automatic bids and 13 at-large selections.

FBS programs often dominate national television coverage, but the FCS has established programs, passionate rivalries and NFL-caliber talent of its own.

How Many FCS Football Teams Are There?

The 2026 FCS season features 128 programs. Most compete in one of 13 conference groupings; others play as independents.

Programs such as Montana State, South Dakota State and Montana have helped build the subdivision’s national reputation.

What Conferences Are In FCS Football?

FCS teams compete in 13 conference groupings in 2026. The Ohio Valley and Big South programs compete together in a football partnership.

• Big Sky Conference
• Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
• Ivy League
• Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
• Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC)
• Northeast Conference (NEC)
• Ohio Valley Conference/Big South football partnership
• Patriot League
• Pioneer Football League
• Southern Conference (SoCon)
• Southland Conference
• Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
• United Athletic Conference (UAC)

Some FCS teams compete independently without belonging to a football conference.

When Are The 2026 FCS Football Playoffs?

The 2026 FCS playoff bracket will be announced Sunday, Nov. 22. The 24-team tournament concludes with the national championship game on Jan. 11, 2027, in Nashville, Tenn.

How Can I Watch College Football On FloCollege In 2026?

Fans can stream select FCS, Division II and Division III college football games live and on demand through FloCollege.

Visit the FloFootball schedule for upcoming matchups and streaming information.

What College Football Games Are On FloCollege?

FloCollege carries football games from conferences across the country, featuring ranked teams, conference rivalries and postseason contenders.

Check the FloFootball events page for the latest schedule.

Where Can I Follow FloCollege Football?

• Follow @FloCollegeFB on X
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