How Many D1 College Football Teams Are There in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · December 24, 2039

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 college football programs in the United States.

Understanding NCAA Division I College Football Structure

NCAA Division I is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics in the U.S., and college football within this tier is split into two subdivisions: the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Each has distinct rules, scholarship limits, and postseason formats.

Key Differences Between FBS and FCS

FBS: Larger schools, higher attendance requirements, bowl game postseason, 85 full scholarships allowed.
FCS: Competitive but smaller programs, playoff-based national championship, limited to 63 athletic scholarships.

Current Landscape of D1 College Football Teams (2025)

The number of D1 football programs fluctuates slightly each year due to conference realignment, new program launches, or reclassifications. As of 2025, the NCAA officially recognizes 262 total Division I football teams across both subdivisions.

Breakdown by Subdivision

FBS Teams: 133 teams organized across 11 conferences including the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and others.
FCS Teams: 129 teams competing in 13 conferences such as the Missouri Valley Football Conference, CAA, and SWAC.

Subdivision	Number of Teams	Major Conferences	Scholarship Limit	Postseason Format
FBS	133	SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, AAC, MAC, Sun Belt, Mountain West, Ivy	85	Bowl Games + College Football Playoff (12-team format)
FCS	129	MVFC, CAA, SWAC, MEAC, Patriot League, Southern Conference	63	24-team NCAA Tournament

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a nearly balanced distribution between FBS and FCS, with FBS maintaining a slight edge in team count and significantly higher scholarship allowances. The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams in 2024 has increased competitive opportunities for FBS programs, while FCS continues to emphasize a traditional playoff structure.

Factors Influencing Team Count Changes

The number of D1 football teams is not static. Several factors contribute to annual fluctuations:

Conference Realignment: Schools moving between conferences (e.g., USC and UCLA to Big Ten).
Program Upgrades: Institutions transitioning from FCS to FBS (e.g., Jacksonville State, Sam Houston).
New Programs: Universities launching football programs and progressing through provisional years.
Reclassification: Some schools may drop or elevate their football status based on funding or strategic goals.

Geographic Distribution and Growth Trends

D1 football programs are concentrated in the South and Midwest, where football culture is strongest. Texas, California, and Florida lead in total D1 programs. Recent growth has been driven by FBS expansion, especially in Group of Five conferences like the American Athletic Conference and Sun Belt.

Frequently Asked Questions About D1 College Football Teams

How many D1 football teams are there in 2025?

There are 262 NCAA Division I football teams in 2025: 133 in the FBS and 129 in the FCS subdivisions.

What is the difference between FBS and FCS?

FBS is the top tier with larger budgets, more scholarships (85), and bowl games. FCS allows 63 scholarships and determines its champion via a 24-team playoff tournament.

Which conference has the most D1 football teams?

The Sun Belt Conference currently has the most FBS teams with 14 members sponsoring football, tied with the Big 12 and ahead of the SEC and ACC (12 each as of 2025).

Are there any independent D1 football teams?

Yes, as of 2025, six FBS teams compete as independents: Notre Dame, UConn, UMass, Army, Liberty, and New Mexico State. Most FCS teams are conference-affiliated.