How Many Division 1 Football Teams Are There in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · November 9, 2030

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 more media exposure, while the FCS conducts a playoff tournament to determine its national champion.

Key Differences Between FBS and FCS

FBS: Teams play in bowl games; no NCAA-run championship tournament.
FCS: Teams compete in a 24-team NCAA-sanctioned playoff to crown a national champion.

Scholarships

Minimum Game Requirements: FBS requires at least 6 home games; FCS has no such mandate.
Attendance Standards: FBS mandates average attendance of at least 15,000 over a rolling two-year period, excluding service academies.

Current Count of Division I Football Teams by Subdivision

The number of Division I football programs fluctuates slightly each year due to conference realignment, reclassifications, and new program launches. Below is a detailed breakdown of current teams as of the 2025 season.

Subdivision	Number of Teams	Average Stadium Capacity	Postseason Format	Scholarship Limit
FBS	133	~50,000	Bowl Games + CFP	85 Full Scholarships
FCS	129	~10,000	24-Team NCAA Playoff	63 Equivalency Scholarships

Table data source:NCAA Official Site, Sports Reference CFB

The data shows that while FBS teams are fewer in number, they operate at a significantly larger scale in terms of fan engagement and athletic investment. The FCS maintains a competitive structure with a formal playoff system, offering smaller institutions a path to a national title under NCAA oversight.

Conference Distribution in Division I Football

Division I football teams are organized into athletic conferences that govern scheduling, revenue sharing, and championship eligibility. The Power Five conferences dominate the FBS landscape, while the FCS includes a mix of regional and multi-sport leagues.

FBS Conferences and Team Counts (2025)

SEC (Southeastern Conference): 16 teams
Big Ten Conference: 18 teams
ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference): 14 teams
Big 12 Conference: 16 teams
Pac-12 Conference: 2 teams (transitioning; most members moved to Big Ten and ACC)
American Athletic Conference: 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 and Team Counts (2025)

Missouri Valley Football Conference: 10 teams
Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Football: 15 teams
Big Sky Conference: 11 teams
Southland Conference: 10 teams
Ivy League: 8 teams
Ohio Valley Conference: 9 teams
Patriot League: 7 teams
Southern Conference: 10 teams
Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC): 10 teams
Northeast Conference: 9 teams
Pioneer Football League: 10 teams (non-scholarship)
MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference): 6 teams
Independent FCS Teams: 4

About How Many Division 1 Football Teams: Common Questions

How many Division I football teams are there in total?

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

What is the difference between FBS and FCS?

The FBS uses a bowl system and College Football Playoff to determine its champion, offers 85 full scholarships, and has higher attendance requirements. The FCS holds a 24-team NCAA playoff and allows 63 scholarship equivalents.

Which conference has the most Division I football teams?

The Big Ten Conference currently has the most FBS football teams with 18 members as of 2025, following expansion with USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.

Are all Division I schools in the FBS?

No, not all Division I schools play FBS football. Many compete in the FCS, which is still part of Division I but operates under different rules and postseason structures.

Is the number of Division I football teams increasing?

Yes, the number is gradually increasing due to conference realignment and reclassification. For example, schools like James Madison and Sam Houston have recently transitioned from FCS to FBS, contributing to dynamic shifts in team counts.