2024 FCS Playoff Schedule: Key Matchups and How to Watch
A series of exciting FCS playoff games is scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. The FCS playoffs will feature 24 teams for the fourth consecutive year. The top eight seeds will receive first-round byes, while the remaining 16 teams will compete in the first round.
Last season, South Dakota State won the national championship, defeating Montana 59-0 in the semifinals before holding Montana to just three points in the final. This season, South Dakota State has two losses, one against Oklahoma State and another to rival North Dakota State, which only lost to Colorado.
All playoff games will take place at home stadiums until the national championship, held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on January 6.
FCS Playoff Bracket 2024
First-Round Games (Saturday, Nov. 30)
- UT Martin vs. No. 16 New Hampshire
- Northern Arizona vs. No. 15 Abilene Christian
- Tennessee State vs. No. 14 Montana
- Drake vs. No. 13 Tarleton State
- No. 12 Illinois State vs. SE Missouri State*
- Eastern Kentucky vs. No. 11 Villanova
- Central Connecticut vs. No. 10 Rhode Island
- Lehigh vs. No. 9 Richmond
*Note: Illinois State will play away as a higher seed due to hosting the Illinois State High School Championship games at its home stadium.
Second-Round Games
- UT Martin/New Hampshire vs. No. 1 Montana State
- Northern Arizona/Abilene Christian vs. No. 2 North Dakota State
- Tennessee State/Montana vs. No. 3 South Dakota State
- Drake/Tarleton State vs. No. 4 South Dakota
- Illinois State/SE Missouri State vs. No. 5 UC Davis
- Eastern Kentucky/Villanova vs. No. 6 Incarnate Word
- Central Connecticut/Rhode Island vs. No. 7 Mercer
- Lehigh/Richmond vs. No. 8 Idaho
How to Watch the 2024 FCS Playoff Selection Show
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 24
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPNU
- Live Stream: ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial available)
FCS Playoff Schedule 2024
First Round (Saturday, Nov. 30)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| No. 12 Illinois State vs. SE Missouri State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Central Connecticut vs. No. 10 Rhode Island | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| UT Martin vs. No. 16 New Hampshire | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Lehigh vs. No. 9 Richmond | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Eastern Kentucky vs. No. 11 Villanova | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Drake vs. No. 13 Tarleton State | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Northern Arizona vs. No. 15 Abilene Christian | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Tennessee State vs. No. 14 Montana | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+ |
Second Round (Saturday, Dec. 7)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. No. 1 Montana State | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 2 North Dakota | TBD | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 3 South Dakota State | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 4 South Dakota | TBD | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 5 UC Davis | 4 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 6 Incarnate Word | TBD | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 7 Mercer | TBD | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 8 Idaho | 9 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Quarterfinals (Friday, Dec. 13)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
Quarterfinals (Saturday, Dec. 14)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | 12 p.m. | ESPN |
| TBD | 12:05 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| TBD | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
Semifinals (Saturday, Dec. 21)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | 12 p.m. | ABC |
| TBD | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
National Championship (Sunday, Jan. 5)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinal winners | 7 p.m. | ESPN |