If all the coaching and player movement in college football has your head spinning each year, there are full athletic programs also on the move. Here’s a breakdown of the conference realignment changes planned in FCS football prior to the 2026 season.
Conference realignment is ongoing in college athletics, and there are plenty more changes coming to FCS football in 2026.
Over half of the NCAA’s 13 FCS conferences will be affected by change. By the start of the 2026 season, there should be 128 or 129 overall programs.
Following is a list of the FCS conference realignment changes, which will go into effect on July 1, 2026.
Villanova and William & Mary to Join Patriot League
Villanova, which joined CAA Football in 1988 when it was the Yankee Conference, and William & Mary, a member since 1993, will become associate members of Patriot League football, following Richmond’s similar move out of the CAA in 2025.
2026 Patriot League FCS Programs (10): Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Richmond, Villanova and William & Mary.
Sacred Heart to Join CAA Football
Somewhat offsetting the losses of Villanova and William & Mary, CAA Football will add Sacred Heart, an FCS independent in 2024 and ‘25 with its other sports a part of the MAAC.
2026 CAA Football FCS Programs (13): UAlbany, Bryant, Campbell, Elon, Hampton, Maine, Monmouth, New Hampshire, North Carolina A&T, Rhode Island, Sacred Heart, Stony Brook and Towson.
Two to Join, One to Depart Big Sky Conference
Former Big Sky member Southern Utah will return to the conference, joined by Utah Tech in a move from the Western Athletic Conference and United Athletic Conference in football. In addition, Sacramento State will depart the Big Sky for the Big West Conference, with its football program set to compete as an independent on either the FBS or FCS level.
2026 Big Sky Conference FCS Programs (13): Cal Poly, Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Southern Utah, UC Davis, Utah Tech and Weber State.
2026 United Athletic Conference FCS Programs (8): Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Tarleton State, UTRGV and West Georgia.
Tennessee Tech to Move Into Southern Conference
Tennessee Tech, an Ohio Valley Conference member since 1949, will depart to join the Southern Conference. OVC football teams are part of an alliance with the Big South Conference.
2026 Southern Conference FCS Programs (10): Chattanooga, ETSU, Furman, Mercer, Samford, Tennessee Tech, The Citadel, VMI, Western Carolina and Wofford.
2026 OVC-Big South Football Association Programs (8): Charleston Southern, Eastern Illinois, Gardner-Webb, Lindenwood, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State, UT Martin and Western Illinois.
NEC to Lose Saint Francis, But May Gain Chicago State
Saint Francis has announced its athletics program will transition from the Division I level to Division III following the 2025-26 academic year. It’s been a member of the Northeast Conference since 1991.
Chicago State joined the NEC on July 1, 2025 and has planned an inaugural football season in 2026. The Cougars, led by coach Bobby Rome II, will not be an official part of the NEC schedule in their first season, with games against other NEC members to be considered nonconference.
2026 Northeast Conference FCS Programs (9): Central Connecticut State, Chicago State (expected), Duquesne, LIU, Mercyhurst, New Haven, Robert Morris, Stonehill and Wagner.
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