It’s playoff time for NCAA Division III football programs, the 2026 bracket looks wide open.
Numerous teams made it through the regular season unscathed, setting up what should be a tantalizing few weeks before a champion is crowned in the Stagg Bowl.
The 40-team bracket features 28 automatic bids and 12 at-large selections. While it’s difficult to pick a favorite, the conversation has to start with Wheaton. The Thunder finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the polls after an unbeaten campaign highlighted by an October win at then-No. 1 North Central.
The Cardinals have reached each of the last six championship games, winning the title in 2024, 2022 and 2019. Will they continue their every-other-tournament trend or will someone new take home the trophy?
The Sporting News has all the details on the 2026 Division III football playoffs, including a complete schedule with live stream information.
Where to watch NCAA D3 football playoffs
The first round through the semifinals of the D3 playoffs will stream live on the ESPN app. See the full game schedule below.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the ESPN app.
The championship game on Jan. 3 will be broadcast by ESPN and can also be streamed via Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
NCAA D3 football playoffs schedule, scores 2026
This section will be filled in as the matchups are unveiled beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Saturday, Nov. 21: First round
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Claremont Mudd Scripps vs. Huntingdon | TBD | ESPN app |
| Benedictine (IL) vs. Hanover | TBD | ESPN app |
| Heidelberg vs. Monmouth (IL) | TBD | ESPN app |
| Wartburg vs. Northwestern-St. Paul | TBD | ESPN app |
| Amherst vs. Bridgewater State | TBD | ESPN app |
| Trinity (CT) vs. Rensselaer | TBD | ESPN app |
| Susquehanna vs. Eastern | TBD | ESPN app |
| Hardin-Simmons vs. Texas Lutheran | TBD | ESPN app |
Saturday, Nov. 28: Second round
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. CMS/Huntingdon | TBD | ESPN app |
| Mary Hardin-Baylor vs. Trinity (TX) | TBD | ESPN app |
| North Central (IL) vs. DePauw | TBD | ESPN app |
| Saint John’s (MN) vs. Benedictine/Hanover | TBD | ESPN app |
| Wheaton (IL) vs. Heidelberg/Monmouth (IL) | TBD | ESPN app |
| Washington & Jefferson vs. Christopher Newport | TBD | ESPN app |
| Concordia Wisconsin vs. Linfield | TBD | ESPN app |
| Washington U. vs. Wartburg/Northwestern-St. Paul | TBD | ESPN app |
| Cortland vs. Amherst/Bridgewater State | TBD | ESPN app |
| Merchant Marine vs. Hampden-Sydney | TBD | ESPN app |
| Springfield vs. Wesleyan (CT) | TBD | ESPN app |
| Endicott vs. Trinity (CT)/Rensselaer | TBD | ESPN app |
| Baldwin Wallace vs. Susquehanna/Eastern | TBD | ESPN app |
| Utica vs. Dickinson | TBD | ESPN app |
| Wisconsin-Platteville vs. Hope | TBD | ESPN app |
| Calvin vs. Hardin-Simmons/Texas Lutheran | TBD | ESPN app |
D3 football playoffs round-by-round schedule 2026
| Round | Dates |
|---|---|
| First round | Nov. 21 |
| Second round | Nov. 28 |
| Third round | Dec. 5 |
| Quarterfinals | Dec. 12 |
| Semifinals | Dec. 19 |
| Final^ | Jan. 3 |
^ at Salem, Virginia
NCAA D3 football champions list
The last 10 Division III football champions are listed below. There was no tournament in 2020.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UW-River Falls | North Central (Ill.) |
| 2024 | North Central (Ill.) | Mount Union |
| 2023 | Cortland | North Central (Ill.) |
| 2022 | North Central (Ill.) | Mount Union |
| 2021 | Mary Hardin-Baylor | North Central (Ill.) |
| 2019 | North Central (Ill.) | Wisconsin-Whitewater |
| 2018 | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Mount Union |
| 2017 | Mount Union | Mary Hardin-Baylor |
| 2016 | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Wisconsin-Oshkosh |
| 2015 | Mount Union | St. Thomas (Minn.) |
