How Many Division One Football Teams Are There in 2025?

By Emma Wilson · December 27, 2025

There are currently 133 teams in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football in the United States. This number reflects the official count for the 2025 season, including all full members eligible to compete for conference championships and bowl berths.

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). The FBS is the more prominent level, featuring larger athletic budgets, bigger stadiums, and national television exposure. When people refer to “Division I football,” they typically mean FBS.

Key Differences Between FBS and FCS

FBS: Uses a bowl system and a four-team College Football Playoff (expanding to 12 teams in 2026); schools must average at least 15,000 in home attendance.
FCS: Determines its champion through a 24-team playoff tournament; lower attendance requirements and smaller scholarship limits.
Scholarships: FBS allows up to 85 full scholarships; FCS permits 63 equivalency scholarships.

Current Landscape of FBS Teams (2025 Season)

The number of FBS teams has grown due to conference realignment and reclassification. As of 2025, there are 133 full FBS members across 11 conferences. This includes recent additions such as Oklahoma and Texas moving to the SEC, and new entrants like James Madison, which completed its transition from FCS.

Conference	Number of Teams	Notable Members	First Season at FBS Level
ACC	17	Clemson, Florida State, Miami	1933
Big Ten	18	Ohio State, Michigan, USC	1896
SEC	16	Alabama, Georgia, Texas	1894
Big 12	16	Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas	1996
Pac-12	2	Oregon State, Washington State	1915
American	14	SMU, Tulane, UAB	1996
Mountain West	12	Boise State, Fresno State	1999
Sun Belt	14	Appalachian State, Troy	2001
Mid-American (MAC)	12	Western Michigan, Toledo	1946
Conference USA	10	Liberty, Western Kentucky	1996
Independent	4	Notre Dame, Army, UConn, UMass	Varies

Table data source:1, 2

The table illustrates the distribution of FBS teams across conferences, highlighting major shifts such as the Pac-12's contraction to just two members and the expansion of the Big Ten and ACC. Conference USA and the American Athletic Conference have absorbed many programs displaced by realignment.

Independents remain a unique feature of FBS football, with Notre Dame maintaining its historic status while scheduling most games within the ACC framework. Army joined FBS in 2018 and now competes fully, though it remains independent.

How Teams Qualify for FBS Status

Becoming an FBS program requires meeting strict NCAA standards:

Must play a minimum of 60% of games against FBS opponents.
Must sponsor at least 16 varsity teams (including football).
Must average 15,000 in home football attendance over a rolling five-year period (with some waivers allowed).
Must offer at least 90% of the required 85 football scholarships within five years of reclassification.

Schools transitioning from FCS to FBS, such as Jacksonville State and Sam Houston, undergo a mandatory two-year reclassification period before gaining full voting rights and bowl eligibility.

About How Many Division One Football Teams Are There: FAQs

How many total Division I football teams are there including FCS?

As of 2025, there are approximately 260 Division I football programs when combining both FBS (133) and FCS (127) teams. The FCS includes 127 teams competing in a playoff format for the national title.

Why did the Pac-12 shrink so much?

The Pac-12 lost ten of its twelve members to the Big Ten and Big 12 after the 2023–24 academic year due to media rights disparities. Only Oregon State and Washington State remain, exploring options including a new conference alliance or rebuilding with new members.

Are there plans to expand FBS further?

Yes, the NCAA anticipates future growth. Schools like UMass and potential candidates such as UTSA and Rice may lead to modest expansion, especially if the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams in 2026, increasing access incentives.

What happens if an FBS team doesn't meet attendance requirements?

Teams failing to meet the 15,000 average attendance rule risk demotion to FCS unless granted a waiver. Recent examples include Hawaii receiving a long-term waiver due to geographic constraints.

Can FCS teams move up to FBS? How does it work?

Yes, FCS teams can reclassify to FBS by applying and meeting NCAA criteria. The process takes two years, during which the school plays a transitional schedule without bowl eligibility. Recent successful transitions include James Madison, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville State.