Football Players Can Now Play Up to Four Games Without Losing a Season of Eligibility

NCAA amends the redshirt rule to allow players to play in up to four games per year without losing a season of eligibility.

Division I college football players will now be able to play in up to four games per season without using a season of eligibility, the NCAA announced Wednesday.

Student athletes at the Division I level currently have five years to play up to four seasons. The new rule will allow football players to not use up a season if they play in a small number of games due to an injury or other possible situations. It is effective starting in the 2018-19 season.

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

• Georgia
• Utah
• Alabama
• UCLA
• Notre Dame
• Texas
• Miami (FL)
• Tennessee
• Indiana
• BYU
• Kentucky
• Texas Tech

PREREGISTER TO PLAY

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See Official Rules for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

If a student enrolls midyear and plays in a postseason football game before or during their first term, the new rule does not apply.

The Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee will look at how a similar ruling could apply to other sports and what number of games should be considered.