The NCAA has approved significant changes to the FBS calendar, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. These modifications include a shortened transfer portal window in January, an earlier start to the season, and a revamped offseason practice schedule that mirrors NFL-style voluntary workouts.

Under the new calendar, the FBS season will kick off one week earlier, now starting on what is currently designated as Week 0. This adjustment allows each team an additional bye week, enhancing the overall structure of the season. The changes also involve a more concise transfer portal window, which will be reduced from 15 days to 10 days.

Josh Brooks, vice chair of the oversight committee and athletic director at Georgia, emphasized the collaborative effort with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) in shaping these changes. He stated, "The work of the calendar subcommittee...has been critical in establishing clarity with the college football calendar."

Clark Lea, head coach at Vanderbilt and president of the AFCA, hailed the new schedule as a significant advancement for college football, asserting it will provide "more flexibility for team building in the spring and summer."

Key changes include:

• 21 on-field practices across two offseason sessions, capped at seven weeks total.
• A minimum of nine discretionary or voluntary weeks where athletic activities are not allowed.
• A preseason structure of 21 practices over 27 calendar days, down from 25 practices over 31 days.

If approved by the Division I Cabinet during its meeting on October 6-7, these changes will reshape the landscape of college football, aiming to better serve coaches and student-athletes alike.