NCAA approves five-year eligibility rule for college athletes
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 23, 2026, 6:29 PM
Last updated Jun 23, 2026
The NCAA approved a significant change to eligibility rules for Division I athletes, allowing them five years to play five seasons starting upon full-time enrollment or upon reaching age 19. The decision, made on June 23, aims to streamline processes amid ongoing legal challenges and the evolving of college sports. The new rule eliminates redshirt seasons and other waivers for injuries, with limited exceptions for military service and personal circumstances like maternity leave. This shift is intended to provide clearer guidelines as many athletes have sought legal recourse to extend their college eligibility. The rules will apply to athletes enrolling in the 2027-28 academic year, changing how future athletes plan their college careers.
- •NCAA votes on June 23 to implement five-year eligibility for athletes.
- •Athletes can play five seasons within five years of enrollment or age 19.
- •Redshirt seasons and most injury waivers will be eliminated.
- •The new rules apply to athletes enrolling in 2027-28 academic year.
- •Current athletes can choose between new and old eligibility rules until July 31.
- 10:42 PMYahoo Sports — NCAA approves 5-year eligibility rule
- 9:07 PMYahoo Sports — NCAA Announces 5-Year Eligibility Model
- 6:29 PMCBS Sports — NCAA votes to approve age-based five-year eligibility rule, reshaping college football, basketball landscapes
- 6:26 PMYahoo Sports — NCAA panel approves new eligibility rules giving Division I athletes 5 years to play 5 seasons
"Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The Division I Cabinet approved the change from the longstanding tenet of college sports that gave athletes five years to complete four seasons of competition with their eligibility clock starting at the time of enrollment, regardless of age. The move will all but eliminate waivers or resdhirt years for extended eligibility except for religious missions, maternity leave or active-duty military service.
"Redshirts and five years to play four seasons are no more, according to the NCAA. While the move won’t be finalized until tomorrow, the NCAA announced that moving forward, NCAA players will have five years to play five seasons. The “age-based eligibility model” is an important note here, as well. The clock will start for […]
"Under the new rules, all college athletes will have five years to play five seasons
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 23, 2026, 10:42 PMNCAA approves 5-year eligibility rule
A major development in college athletics.
- Yahoo SportsJun 23, 2026, 9:07 PMNCAA Announces 5-Year Eligibility Model
Redshirts and five years to play four seasons are no more, according to the NCAA. While the move won’t be finalized until tomorrow, the NCAA announced that moving forward, NCAA players will have five years to play five seasons. The “age-based eligibility model” is an important note here, as well. The clock will start for […]
- CBS SportsJun 23, 2026, 6:29 PMNCAA votes to approve age-based five-year eligibility rule, reshaping college football, basketball landscapes
Under the new rules, all college athletes will have five years to play five seasons
- Yahoo SportsJun 23, 2026, 6:26 PMNCAA panel approves new eligibility rules giving Division I athletes 5 years to play 5 seasons
Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The Division I Cabinet approved the change from the longstanding tenet of college sports that gave athletes five years to complete four seasons of competition with their eligibility clock starting at the time of enrollment, regardless of age. The move will all but eliminate waivers or resdhirt years for extended eligibility except for religious missions, maternity leave or active-duty military service.
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