How Many D1 Football Teams Are There in 2025? Full Breakdown

By Sarah Miller · February 12, 2050

As of the 2025 season, there are 133 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams and 129 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams, totaling 262 Division I football programs in the United States.

Understanding NCAA Division I Football Structure

NCAA Division I football is divided into two primary subdivisions: the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). These divisions differ in scholarship limits, postseason formats, and program size. The FBS features larger stadiums, higher attendance, and bowl game matchups, while the FCS crowns its champion through a playoff system.

Key Differences Between FBS and FCS

FBS: Offers up to 85 full scholarships; uses bowl games for postseason; governed by the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee since 2014.
FCS: Allows up to 63 scholarship equivalents; determines champion via a 24-team NCAA-sanctioned playoff tournament.
Institutional requirements for scheduling, minimum attendance, and stadium capacity apply mainly to FBS teams.

Current Number of D1 Football Teams by Subdivision

The exact number of teams fluctuates slightly each year due to reclassifications, new programs launching, or conference realignment. As of the 2025 college football season, the official counts are:

Subdivision	Number of Teams	Average Stadium Capacity	Scholarship Limit	Postseason Format
FBS	133	~50,000	85 full scholarships	Bowl Games / CFP (Top 12 selected)
FCS	129	~10,000	63 scholarship equivalents	24-Team NCAA Tournament

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that while FBS programs operate at a larger scale with significantly higher stadium capacities and full athletic scholarships, FCS remains a competitive tier focused on balanced competition and playoff-driven championships. The slight increase in FCS teams over recent years reflects growth in smaller universities expanding their football offerings.

Conference Affiliations in Division I Football

D1 football teams compete within athletic conferences that organize regular-season play and often sponsor championship events. Conferences vary widely in competitiveness, geographic reach, and media exposure.

FBS Conferences (2025 Season)

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) – 17 teams
Big Ten Conference – 18 teams
Pacific-12 Conference – 2 teams (transitioning; remaining schools forming new partnership)
SEC (Southeastern Conference) – 16 teams
American Athletic Conference (AAC) – 14 teams
Conference USA – 10 teams
Mid-American Conference (MAC) – 12 teams
Sun Belt Conference – 14 teams
Mountain West Conference – 12 teams
Independent Teams – 6 (e.g., Notre Dame, Army, UConn)

FCS Conferences

Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) – 13 teams
Missouri Valley Football Conference – 11 teams
Southland Conference – 10 teams
Big Sky Conference – 11 teams
Ivy League – 8 teams (no playoffs, but eligible)
Ohio Valley Conference – 9 teams
Others include Patriot League, MEAC, SWAC, NEC, and Pioneer Football League (non-scholarship)

Trends Affecting D1 Football Team Count

Several factors influence the number of D1 football programs:

Reclassification: Schools like Jacksonville State and Sam Houston moved from FCS to FBS in 2023.
New Programs: Institutions such as Texas A&M-Commerce are transitioning to FBS, increasing team totals.
Conference Realignment: Major shifts (e.g., USC and UCLA joining Big Ten) reshape conference structures and incentives for other schools to upgrade.
Financial Pressures: Some smaller programs face challenges maintaining D1 status due to rising costs.

FAQs About How Many D1 Football Teams Are There

How many Division I football teams are there in 2025?

There are 133 FBS teams and 129 FCS teams, making a total of 262 NCAA Division I football programs as of the 2025 season.

What’s the difference between FBS and FCS football?

FBS is the top tier with larger budgets, full scholarships (85), and bowl games. FCS allows 63 scholarship equivalents and determines its champion through a 24-team NCAA playoff.

Are all D1 schools part of major conferences?

No. While most FBS teams belong to one of the Power Four conferences (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12), several play in Group of Five leagues or as independents. In FCS, many teams compete in regional conferences.

Is the number of D1 football teams growing?

Yes. The total has increased steadily due to reclassifications (e.g., from DII to DI) and expansion of existing programs. The FBS added multiple teams in 2023–2025 through transitions from FCS.

Can FCS teams play against FBS teams?

Yes. FCS teams frequently schedule games against FBS opponents, often receiving a guaranteed payout. Wins against FBS teams can boost an FCS team’s national profile and playoff consideration.