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News surfaces that could shift the HBCU football landscape

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 10, 2025 3:30 PM ET

It’s not just another game—it could be a game-changer.

A proposal gaining traction within the NCAA could soon allow FCS programs—including HBCUs—to play 12 regular-season football games every year, beginning in 2026. While the rule sounds like a minor shift on paper, for programs in the SWAC and MEAC, it’s a move that could reshape everything from revenue streams to national visibility.

Right now, FCS teams are only allowed to schedule a 12th game in years where the calendar includes 14 Saturdays between late August and late November. That’s been the case every year since 2015—and will be through 2030—but locking in a permanent 12-game schedule would give HBCU programs something far more valuable: consistency.

“Having that extra game can mean another Classic, another big stage, another chance to be seen,” said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. “And for our programs, that matters.”

Take Southern and Grambling State. These schools already anchor the Bayou Classic, one of college football’s most-watched annual events. But with eight conference games and a potential SWAC Championship Game, adding another rivalry or money game often means sacrificing something. The 12th slot would ease that tension.

Over in the MEAC, the scheduling flexibility could allow schools like Howard and North Carolina Central to continue chasing matchups with FBS and Ivy League programs without jeopardizing conference goals. These games don’t just offer exposure—they bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars per appearance.

According to USA Today, some FCS teams received over $700,000 to play Power 5 opponents in 2023. A 12th game could bring that kind of opportunity to more HBCUs annually.

Of course, the proposal would also eliminate “Week Zero” games, standardizing the season’s start date and cutting off an early exposure window many HBCUs have taken advantage of. That tradeoff is real—but the upside may outweigh it.

The NCAA Division I Council is expected to vote on the proposal by June 25. For HBCU football, the outcome could echo far beyond the gridiron.

More games mean more chances. More chances mean more change.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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