From Books to Brackets: Ivy League Joins FCS Playoffs in 2025

For the first time in history, the Ivy League will participate in the FCS playoffs. Beginning this year, the Ivy League Champion will receive an automatic bid to the postseason tournament.

Last season, Harvard, Dartmouth, and Columbia shared the Ivy League title, each finishing with a 5-2 conference record. Three of the last four seasons have resulted in multiple champions. Currently, the league is in discussions to finalize a tiebreaker process, though no official policy has been announced.

The shift comes after a proposal from the Ivy League’s Student-Athlete Advisory Commission, a group of student-athletes representing all Ivy League schools and 12 different sports, was approved by the Ivy League Council of Presidents in December. This decision formally confirms the league’s entry into the FCS playoff system.

Historically, the Ivy League has opted out of the playoffs due to the 1945 Ivy League Agreement, which emphasizes academics over athletic competition. Ivy League student-athletes are ineligible for athletic scholarships, and the conference has chosen not to participate in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) revenue sharing.

Another distinctive feature of Ivy League football is its shorter season. The league currently plays only 10 games, as opposed to the typical 12 seen in other conferences. There has been no indication that this format will change.

Despite these differences, the Ancient Eight is expected to make a meaningful impact on the FCS playoffs. The Ivy League has posted a winning record in non-conference play in 12 of the last 14 seasons. While Ivy programs have traditionally scheduled games against Patriot League or Northeast Conference teams, it remains to be seen whether they will expand their non-conference matchups in the future.

All of FCS Nation is eager to see how the Ivy League stacks up against top-tier competition in this new chapter of postseason participation.

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