2026
COLLEGE FOOTBALL REACHES 778 SCHOOLS WITH 10 NEW PROGRAMS IN 2026
footballfoundation.org
Schools nationwide add football to bolster enrollment and retention, energize campus life and strengthen alumni and community engagement.
IRVING, Texas (Sept. 9, 2026) – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) reported today that football continues to expand, with 778 colleges and universities nationwide now offering football programs. The growth continues with 17 institutions across all NCAA divisions, the NAIA and independent schools launching programs in 2026 or announcing plans to take the field in the coming years.
“The continued growth of college football is a tremendous testament to the enduring appeal of our game,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “Ten programs are taking the field this fall, with seven more on the way, creating hundreds of new opportunities for young people to pursue a college education while continuing to play the game they love. Every new program means more student‑athletes experiencing the lessons, friendships and opportunities that make college football so special.”
The 2026 season marks a banner year for college football growth, with 10 institutions taking the field with new or reinstated programs, the most in a single year since 2013. The 2026 institutions include Andrew College (GA), Lackawanna College (PA) and Monroe University (NY), three former junior college programs making the transition to four‑year football. Two others, Azusa Pacific University (CA) and Whittier College (CA), are bringing football back after previously discontinuing their programs. Saint Mary‑of‑the‑Woods College (IN) is making the transition from sprint football to traditional football. Chicago State University (IL), Mount Mercy University (IA), Schreiner University (TX) and Trinity College of Florida round out the 10 programs taking the field in 2026. Seven more schools listed below will begin play in 2027 and beyond.
“Football can be a powerful asset for colleges and universities looking to strengthen their institutions,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “We continue to hear from campus leaders about the impact it can have on enrollment and retention, alumni engagement, school spirit and connections with the surrounding community. Seeing schools across the country invest in football, whether launching a program, bringing one back or expanding to a new level, demonstrates the value they believe the game can bring to their campuses.”
The expansion of college football is not a recent phenomenon but a continuation of a long‑standing trend. Since 1978, when the NCAA began tracking attendance figures, the number of schools playing NCAA football has increased by 194, growing from 484 to 678 institutions by 2026. Including NAIA and independent schools, and accounting for upcoming programs, the total now stands at 778 colleges and universities offering football.
This surge in football programs is a clear reflection of the sport’s enduring popularity and its capacity to drive significant benefits for colleges. In the last decade alone, 62 football programs have been added by NCAA, NAIA, or independent institutions, illustrating the continued demand for the sport at all levels.
