2025-26 FCS National Championship Game: Date, time, TV channel, history

Montana State emerged victorious in the first-ever FCS Championship Game to go into overtime, defeating Illinois State 35-34 in the 2025-26 FCS Championship. This marks the 48th FCS Championship Game, with the final held at FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. This is the first time the championship game has been hosted in Nashville and the first return to Tennessee since 2009. The game was broadcast on the ESPN network.

Montana State secured their spot in the championship by defeating Montana 48-23 in the semifinals, while Illinois State earned their place with a 30-14 victory over Villanova. The FCS playoffs included a 24-team bracket, with the top 16 teams seeded and the top eight seeds receiving a first-round bye. The championship selection was announced on November 23, 2025, with 11 conference champions given automatic bids and 13 additional teams earning at-large bids chosen by the