Overview

• The Division I Administrative Committee adopted a 15-day notification window from Jan. 2–16 starting in 2026 for FBS and FCS, with the action expected to be finalized at the close of this week’s meetings.
• Players on teams that play a postseason game on or after Jan. 12 will have a consecutive five-day period beginning the day after their final game to initiate a transfer.
• The coaching-change exception now grants a 15-day portal window beginning five days after a new head coach is hired or announced, a change that takes effect immediately.
• Athletes at programs where head coaches already departed this season, including Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Virginia Tech, remain under the prior 30-day post-departure rule.
• The spring portal window has been eliminated as coaches tout roster stability, even as some Big Ten voices object to January timing and attorneys signal potential antitrust challenges.