HADLEY, Mass. - The NESCAC Presidents have approved a proposal from the conference athletic directors to allow NESCAC Football teams to participate in the NCAA Division III Championship effective in fall 2026.

"I am pleased to share this information with our football student-athletes, coaches, and administrators," said NESCAC Executive Director Andrea Savage. "The conference has had positive experiences participating in postseason play, and we are pleased that football teams will have the opportunity to participate in the NCAA Championships and share in this experience as well."  

NESCAC Football will maintain a nine-game schedule against fellow conference schools. The team that finishes at the top of the standings (after any tiebreakers are applied, if necessary) will earn the NESCAC's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Football Championship. NESCAC teams will be eligible for Pool C "at-large" bids if selected.

The NCAA Division III Football Championship consists of 40 teams, with all rounds, except the championship game, played at campus sites.