Football Season Could Begin Last Thursday of August

April 16

The season would begin on the Thursday of what is now designated Week 0.  It would apply to the 2027 season. The FBS Oversight Committee today recommended the change to the DI Cabinet.

Under the proposal, future FBS regular seasons would be standardized to 14 weeks, during which teams could schedule 12 games. The season would begin on the Thursday of what is now designated Week 0 and end on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The Division I Cabinet would have to adopt the legislation for the proposal to become official. The D1 Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the recommendation in June. 

In addition to eliminating required exceptions for teams to play before the Week 1 date, a 14-week regular season annually provides two open dates, flexibility for potential changes to the postseason and preserves standalone weekends for conference championships and the Army-Navy game. 

Week 1 in 2027 is September 4.  If Week 0 were in place for 2027, the season could begin Thursday, August 26. Oregon's past academic calendars suggest classes would begin September 27, with 5 Saturdays between August 26 and September 27.

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/4/16/media-center-fbs-oversight-committee-recommends-standardized-start-to-regular-season.aspx