NCAA Moves to 'Five Years, Five Seasons': What the New Eligibility Rule Means
By faNILy Team ·
College sports' eligibility rules just got a lot simpler, at least on paper. On Tuesday, the NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved an age-based eligibility model that gives athletes up to five years to play five seasons.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said the association "heard also loud and clear from NCAA members and student-athletes that eligibility rules should be easier to understand."
How the new model works
According to the NCAA, athletes can compete for up to five years as long as they enroll no later than the academic year after they turn 19. The new framework replaces:
- Sport-specific eligibility rules
- Limits on seasons of competition
- Redshirt rules
- Waivers that extended eligibility
There are a few exceptions. Eligibility can be paused or delayed for pregnancy, active-duty military service or official religious missions, as long as the athlete stays out of organized competition during that time.
Spectrum News reported that injury-based extensions will no longer be available.
When it kicks in
The NCAA says the model takes full effect in fall 2027 for new incoming athletes. Current athletes can use whichever model, old or new, works better for them through 2026-27. Spectrum News also reported that schools must submit hardship waiver requests by July 31.
Why the NCAA did this
The old system had become hard to manage. Five years to play four seasons, plus redshirts, plus a steady stream of waiver requests, created plenty of gray areas. Baker said the change removes parts of the rules that have proven difficult to administer.
It also comes after a wave of lawsuits from athletes seeking to extend their college careers, Spectrum noted. In the revenue-sharing era, an extra season can mean another year of paychecks, so eligibility fights have real money attached.
Will it end the lawsuits?
Probably not entirely. Sports law attorney Mit Winter called it "a very sensible rule" in comments to Spectrum, but cautioned that legal challenges remain likely since athletes aren't designated as employees and lack collective bargaining rights. Boise State legal studies professor Sam Ehrlich said athletes may still petition courts for extra eligibility on antitrust grounds, though recent appellate decisions have gone the NCAA's way.
What it means for athletes and families
For athletes, the clock now matters more than ever. The window is tied to age and enrollment, not just seasons played, so families of younger athletes should pay attention to when the five-year clock starts. Athletes currently enrolled should look closely at which model benefits them most before the old one goes away. This isn't legal advice, so talk with your school's compliance office about your specific situation.
What it means for fans
For fans, the change could mean fewer surprise returns from sixth- and seventh-year players and less waiver drama in the offseason. It may also mean a cleaner picture of a roster: when a player arrives, fans will have a better idea of how long they'll be around.
That's a plus for anyone who likes getting to know athletes over their full college careers. Five clear years is a long time to follow someone's story, from first game to last.