NASHVILLE, Tenn.– The Nashville Sports Council and the Ohio Valley Conference, along with partners Vanderbilt University and the City of Nashville, have been awarded the 2026 and 2027 Division I Football Championship games.
Nashville becomes the 11th city to host the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Championship since 1978. The games will be played at FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University on January 5, 2026 and January 4, 2027.
"On behalf of the Nashville Sports Council Board of Directors and entire Nashville community, we look forward to hosting the FCS National Championship in Music City in 2026 and 2027," said Nashville Sports Council President and CEO Scott Ramsey. "We appreciate the confidence of the NCAA and FCS Selection Committee in our ability to showcase this prestigious championship event in Nashville and provide a memorable experience for the players, coaches, administrators, and fans."
"As a storied FCS conference, we are delighted to work with our partners to showcase our city and expose this cherished championship to a different region of the country," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "We are committed to ensuring that the student-athletes competing in this premier championship event have an exemplary experience."
"I'm excited to welcome this championship to a great sports city," said Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell. "The new FirstBank Stadium will be a first-class venue, and I look forward to fans enjoying all Music City has to offer."
Vanderbilt's newly renovated First Bank Stadium seats approximately 35,000 and features modern facilities and fan-focused amenities with a state-of-the-art locker room and 4-level press box. The nearby John Rich Complex offers three practice fields, a 2,000 sq. ft. weight room, and synthetic turf matching the stadium's surface ensuring consistency for the athletes.
"We're thrilled to host the FCS Championship Game at FirstBank Stadium in 2026 and 2027," said Candice Storey Lee, Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for University Affairs & Athletics and Athletic Director. "We look forward to welcoming the competing teams and their fans to the Vanderbilt campus for an event they'll remember the rest of their lives. No city is a better host for sports and entertainment than Nashville, and we're excited to work with the Nashville Sports Council, the OVC, and other partners across the city to deliver an unforgettable experience in an electric, fan-friendly, and welcoming environment."
The Championship was previously played in the state of Tennessee from 1997 to 2009 when Chattanooga served as the host. Since 2010 the Championship has been played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The 2025 FCS Championship game will be played in Frisco on Monday, January 6 at 6 p.m. CT and will air on ABC.
For more information on the Nashville Sports Council, visit NashvilleSports.com. For more information on the Ohio Valley Conference, visit OVCSports.com.
About the Nashville Sports Council
The Nashville Sports Council is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization of area corporations and individual sports enthusiasts. Created in 1992, the Nashville Sports Council's mission is to positively impact the economy and quality of life of the Greater Nashville Area by attracting and promoting professional and amateur sporting events. The Nashville Sports Council has hosted hundreds of major sporting events that have produced more than $1.4 billion in direct economic impact for the region. For more information call 615-743-3120 or visit NashvilleSports.com. Follow the Nashville Sports Council on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About the Ohio Valley Conference
The Ohio Valley Conference was founded in 1948, making it the eighth-oldest Division I athletic conference. The League competes in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Over the years OVC teams have garnered national championships in football along with national team or individual titles in the sports of rifle, cross country, track and golf. In the 1950s the OVC became a pioneer when Morehead State became one of the first non-traditionally Black mid-southern institutions to accept an African American student. Soon after the passing of Title IX legislation, the OVC began formulating plans for women's athletics, which began in 1977. The OVC sponsors 19 championship sports and consists of 11 member institutions in six states, including Eastern Illinois University, Lindenwood University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Morehead State University (charter member), Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Southern Indiana, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, the University of Tennessee at Martin and Western Illinois University. For more information, visit www.OVCSports.com.
