HADLEY, Mass. - The presidents of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) announced Friday the approved proposal from the conference athletic directors to allow NESCAC football teams to participate in the NCAA Division III Championship effective in fall 2026.

"I am pleased to share this information with our football student-athletes, coaches, and administrators," said NESCAC Executive Director Andrea Savage. "The conference has had positive experiences participating in postseason play, and we are pleased that football teams will have the opportunity to participate in the NCAA Championships and share in this experience as well."  

NESCAC Football will maintain a nine-game schedule against fellow conference schools. The team that finishes at the top of the standings (after any tiebreakers are applied, if necessary) will earn the NESCAC's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Football Championship. 

"This is an exciting and historic step forward for NESCAC Football, and for Bates College," said Interim Director of Athletics Will Rothermel. "The opportunity for our football student-athletes to compete for a national championship elevates the collegiate experience and reflects the continued growth of our program. We are proud of the dedication shown by our players, coaches, and the entire Bates community, and we look forward to representing the Bobcats on a national stage beginning in 2026."

The NCAA Division III Football Championship consists of 40 teams with all rounds, except the championship game, played at campus sites. North Central College (Ill.) defeated the University of Mount Union (Ohio), 41-25, in the 2024 title game.

"I am extremely happy with the decision made to allow NESCAC Football the ability to compete in the NCAA playoffs in 2026," added Bates Head Coach Matt Coyne. "The chance for our conference and program to compete on the national level elevates our student athletes' experience. I am excited to continue to recruit the best and the brightest to Bates and for our Bobcats to know that the opportunity to go to the playoffs is now on the table."

Founded in 1971, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) is a group of eleven highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities that share a similar philosophy for intercollegiate athletics.  Members include: Amherst College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, Connecticut College, Hamilton College, Middlebury College, Trinity College, Tufts University, Wesleyan University, and Williams College.