2026 NCAA Football Rules Changes
Targeting Penalty:
This targeting penalty change will be an experimental rule for 2026. All targeting fouls that are upheld will include a disqualification for the current game, but the rule will now eliminate the carryover disqualification for fouls in the second half.
If a player receives a second targeting foul within the same season, that player is disqualified for the remainder of that game and the first half of the team's next scheduled game within that season. If a player receives a third or subsequent targeting foul within the same season, disqualification for the remainder of the game and that player will receive an automatic one-game suspension in their team's next scheduled game of that season.
If a player receives a second and/or subsequent upheld targeting foul within the same season, the conference has the option to consult the national coordinator of football officials who would then facilitate a video review. Based on the review, if and only if the national coordinator concludes that it is clearly obvious the player should not have been disqualified on the first, second or any subsequent targeting foul, the suspension will be vacated. If the national coordinator supports the disqualification, the suspension for the next game will remain.
Offensive Pass Interference – Penalty:
The penalty for offensive pass interference is being adjusted from 15 yards to 10 yards. The rules reserve 15-yard penalties primarily for Personal Fouls and Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Defensive pass interference will remain a spot foul, with a maximum of a 15-yard penalty.
Modernizing the Unsportsmanlike Conduct Rule:
Overall, the Rules Committee is satisfied with the sound judgment that officials are demonstrating in evaluating Unsportsmanlike Conduct. In order to update the rule and stay in pace with the modern game, the Unsportsmanlike Conduct rule is being adjusted to ensure that officials will continue to use good judgment in penalizing actions that interfere with orderly game administration; taunting actions that are directed at an opponent; and abusive, threatening, or celebratory actions that are demeaning to the game or an opponent.
The list of automatic unsportsmanlike conduct fouls will be minimized to a list of five actions/gestures that will be consistently penalized by all officials, including:
Any form of gun violence, including brandishing a weapon.
A slashing of the throat or a nose wipe signal.
A player removing their helmet after the ball is dead (with exceptions for timeouts and equipment adjustments).
Dead-ball contact fouls, such as pushing, shoving, striking, etc., that occur clearly after the ball is dead and that are not part of the game action.
After the ball is dead, using forcible contact to push or pull an opponent off the pile.
Introducing the Fair Catch Kick:
The Fair Catch Kick is being introduced into the NCAA playing rules and will allow the receiving team to attempt an uncontested field goal place kick and score three points under certain conditions.
To trigger the Fair Catch Kick, a fair catch of an opponent's scrimmage kick or free kick must be completed.
Following the fair catch (or awarded fair catch) the ball shall be put in play by a snap by the receiving team at the spot of the catch if the ball is caught. Optionally, the ball may be put in play by a Fair Catch Kick by the receiving team at the spot of the catch.
This selection for a Fair Catch Kick must come from the head coach before the dead ball is next ready for play and the decision is irrevocable. Following the ready for play, there is no option of selecting a Fair Catch Kick.
If a Fair Catch Kick is selected by the receiving team, the ball is put in play at the spot of the catch or the succeeding spot after penalties.
If the catch is in a side zone, the ball is transferred into the nearest hash mark. There is no option for Team A to otherwise relocate the ball.
The play clock will be set to 25 seconds, and the game clock starts when the ball is legally kicked.
If the fair catch occurs as time expires in a half, the team is allowed to make the Fair Catch Kick as an untimed down.
The Fair Catch Kick line for the kicking team is the most forward point of the spot of the fair catch (or awarded fair catch), or the succeeding spot after penalties.
The Fair Catch Kick line for the receiving team is the yard line 10 yards in advance of the kicking team's Fair Catch Kick line.
The formation requirements for a Fair Catch Kick will follow Free Kick rules.
The kick must be a field goal place kick with a holder (no tee) or a drop kick, and if the kick passes over the crossbar and through the uprights, a field goal is scored, and three points are awarded to the kicking team.
If the Fair Catch Kick is unsuccessful, all rules pertaining to scrimmage kicks and the Next Play provisions of an unsuccessful field goal apply.
The receiving team may return the kick if it is possessed in the field of play or caught in the end zone. If the unsuccessful kick is untouched by the receivers, then they will take over and snap the ball at the previous spot (the spot of the kick), or the 20-yard line, in accordance with the Next Play provisions.
Numbering Exceptions – Scrimmage Kick Formations
The intent of the initial numbering exception rule, introduced in the 1980s, was to eliminate players having to change jerseys to cover kicks. In recent years, however, teams have developed schemes on punt plays that make it difficult for the defense and officials to identify the ineligible receivers, which was not the original intent of the rule. The new rule change allows the defense and officials to readily identify the eligible and ineligible receivers on punt plays.
To qualify as a scrimmage kick formation, the offense must have either (1) five players on the line wearing jerseys numbered 50-79; or (2) they may have fewer than five linemen numbered 50-79, subject to the following conditions:
The snapper and two adjacent linemen on either side of the snapper, who are lined up in (or touching) the tackle box (2 X 2 formation) - these five linemen become exceptions to the numbering rule.
These linemen are ineligible receivers by position and become exceptions to the numbering rule when the snapper takes his position.
Once established as a numbering exception, they may not shift or move to another position.
Game Stop – Additional Coach Replay Challenge
A head coach may initiate a challenge by taking a team timeout before the ball is next legally put into play and informing the referee that they are challenging the ruling of the previous play. The head coach will now have two replay challenges per game. If a coach wins at least one of their first two challenges, they are awarded a third challenge. A challenge can only be made if the team has a timeout remaining and available and if the challenge is successful, the team's timeout will not be charged.
Play Clock Following a Replay Review after the Two-Minute Timeout
Throughout the game, the play clock is set to 25 seconds following an Instant Replay review. Now after the Two-Minute Timeout in the 2nd or 4th quarters, when the Replay Official stops the game for review, the play clock will be frozen at that point and if the ruling is upheld. It will be restarted following the review when the ball is made ready for play by the Referee's signal. If the play clock displays less than 10 seconds when it is frozen, it will be reset to 10 seconds and started when the ball is made ready for play by the Referee's signal. This prevents the offense from running additional time off the clock if the game is stopped for replay review with less than 25 seconds on the play clock.
Technology – Coach-to-Player Communications
Coach-to-player communications through the helmet became permissive for the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2024 and in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for the 2025 season. It is now permissive for all NCAA divisions, including DII and DIII.
Helmet Attachments
Helmet attachments (e.g., Guardian Cap, SAFR Helmet Cover) that enhance player safety are allowed in game action. The institution must ensure the helmet, with attachments, meet NOCSAE standards and all helmets (with or without the attachment) must be of the same color and design.
Altered Jersey Exception
Currently, NCAA rules allow a second jersey to be worn concurrently by a player as long as it meets all the jersey requirements in the rule. Vests and/or altered jerseys with zippers, Velcro, clasps, or other fasteners are not allowed. By exception, a player may now wear a second jersey with a plastic zipper in the underarm seam not to exceed 15 inches.
NCAA Division I Uniform Rules
Up to two commercial or nonprofit trademarks/logos are allowed on the jersey, with conference approval. One additional commercial or nonprofit trademark/logo is allowed during conference championship or postseason bowl/playoff competition. Logos may not exceed four square inches. One commercial logo, not to exceed four square inches, is permitted on the helmet. This mark and placement must be consistent across the entire team.
