Big changes are expected to be coming to D1 sports with the new NCAA scholarship rules and roster limits set to roll out in the 2025-26 school year. As part of a recent settlement agreement with the NCAA, these new regulations will reshape NCAA scholarship limits and how teams configure their rosters.
The settlement agreement must be approved by the court before it becomes final.
Below we go over the recent scholarship rulings in detail, discuss how they could affect recruiting for student-athletes, and offer practical tips for navigating these changes to stay ahead in your sports journey.
NCAA Scholarship Rules: What’s Changing?
Let’s explore the changes coming to NCAA D1 sports for the 2025-2026 academic year if the settlement is approved.
- No Scholarship Cap: NCAA D1 schools will be able to offer scholarships to every athlete on their roster, eliminating previous sport-specific limits. This means schools will have more flexibility in financially supporting their athletes, increasing the number of potential college sports scholarships.
- New Roster Limits: NCAA is introducing new roster limits that match or exceed current scholarship restrictions for each sport. With scholarship caps gone, most programs will be able to offer more scholarships. However, they must follow the new NCAA roster limits for each sport. For example, NCAA football scholarship limits will have a roster cap of 105 players, up from 85. Keep reading to see the full list of new roster limits for all NCAA D1 sports, including the current and new numbers
- Scholarship Type: All sports will now be classified as equivalency sports, allowing schools to offer partial scholarships. This is a huge change from the current system where some sports, like football, basketball and volleyball, are headcount sports and only offer full scholarships.
The removal of scholarship caps and changes to roster limits are part of a major settlement agreement involving three lawsuits against the NCAA and the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC: House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA and Carter v. NCAA.
These lawsuits address various aspects of benefits for D1 student-athletes, including Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).
While the settlement documents have been filed, they still need court approval to become final, which could take several months. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
What Are the New NCAA Roster Limits?
New roster limits will be introduced for NCAA D1 sports for the 2025-2026 academic year. These changes will allow more players to receive college athletic scholarships, but teams will also have to follow new maximum roster size limits.
In the table below, we break down the roster changes that will be made to every D1 sport.
NCAA Scholarship Limits for D1 College Sports Programs
| Sport* | Current | New | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tumbling (W) | 14 | 55 | 41 |
| Baseball (M) | 11.7 | 34 | 22.3 |
| Basketball (M) | 13 | 15 | 2 |
| Basketball (W) | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| Beach volleyball (W) | 6 | 19 | 13 |
| Cross country (M) | 5 | 17 | 12 |
| Cross country (W) | 6 | 17 | 11 |
| Field hockey (W) | 12 | 27 | 15 |
| Football (M) | 85 | 105 | 20 |
| Golf (M) | 4.5 | 9 | 4.5 |
| Golf (W) | 6 | 9 | 3 |
| Gymnastics (M) | 6.3 | 20 | 13.7 |
| Gymnastics (W) | 12 | 20 | 8 |
| Ice hockey (M) | 18 | 26 | 8 |
| Ice hockey (W) | 18 | 26 | 8 |
| Track (M) | 12.6 | 45 | 35.4 |
| Track (W) | 18 | 45 | 27 |
| Lacrosse (M) | 12.6 | 48 | 35.4 |
| Lacrosse (W) | 12 | 38 | 26 |
| Rowing (W) | 20 | 68 | 48 |
| Soccer (M) | 9.9 | 28 | 18.1 |
| Soccer (W) | 14 | 28 | 14 |
| Softball (W) | 12 | 25 | 13 |
| Stunt (M/W) | 14 | 65 | 51 |
| Swim (M) | 9.9 | 30 | 20.1 |
| Swim (W) | 14 | 30 | 16 |
| Tennis (M) | 4.5 | 10 | 5.5 |
| Tennis (W) | 8 | 10 | 2 |
| Triathlon (W) | 6.5 | 14 | 7.5 |
| Volleyball (M) | 4.5 | 18 | 13.5 |
| Volleyball (W) | 12 | 18 | 6 |
| Water polo (M) | 4.5 | 24 | 19.5 |
| Water polo (W) | 8 | 24 | 16 |
| Wrestling (M) | 9.9 | 30 | 20.1 |
| Wrestling (W) | 10 | 30 | 20 |
*The listed sports are offered services by NCSA College Recruiting. D1 sports not shown in the table, including Bowling, Fencing, Equestrian, Rifle and Skiing, will also have scholarship and roster implications.
When Do the New NCAA Scholarship Rules Start?
The new scholarship rules and roster limits for NCAA D1 sports will start in the 2025-26 academic year.
How Will NCAA Roster Limits Impact Walk-ons?
Walk-ons have historically been a big part of D1 programs because of current NCAA scholarship limitations. But with the new NCAA scholarship rules and roster limits starting in the 2025-26 school year, coaches will need to rethink how they manage scholarships and roster spots. The exact impact on walk-ons is unknown at this time and will vary across different sports and schools, depending on their size and budget.
To understand how roster limits might affect you, we recommend staying in touch with coaches. Ask them about their plans for walk-ons, as this can vary widely between programs.
How Will Schools Adjust to the New NCAA Scholarship and Roster Limits?
Adding more scholarships across all sports could mean big financial changes for D1 schools. It isn’t clear exactly how college programs will adjust to the new rules, since it will vary by sport and program.
As more details come out, we’ll share how schools are managing these updates. In the meantime, stay in touch with the schools you’re interested in and ask how these updates might impact your recruitment and athletic scholarship opportunities.
Preparing for the change
The upcoming changes to NCAA scholarship rules and roster limits are set to take effect in the 2025-26 school year. While the full impact on student-athletes and potential recruits is still unfolding, it’s crucial to stay informed and proactive.
Here’s what you can do right now to prepare:
- Stay Informed and Ask Questions: Keep an eye on updates from schools and the NCAA regarding the new rules. Engage with college coaches to understand how their programs plan to implement the changes.
- Educate Yourself and Follow NCSA: Learn about the new rules and their implications. Stay connected with NCSA for the latest information and guidance on navigating these changes through our blog, website and social media!
- Show Your Value and Focus on Performance: Highlight your skills to coaches, demonstrating your versatility and value. Maintain strong academics and athletics, as both are critical in scholarship decisions.
By staying proactive and educating yourself, your family and anyone included in your decision-making process, you can better prepare for the upcoming changes and maximize the opportunities they present. Stay tuned for more insights as we navigate these developments and changes together!
Related reading 📚
- Learn more about NIL
