The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee has recommended eliminating "Week Zero" from the college football calendar, proposing that the season officially start earlier beginning in 2027. If approved, this change would give teams 14 weeks to play their 12 regular-season games, with Week 1 starting the weekend before Labor Day weekend.
Week Zero has served as an unofficial early start to the season, with its popularity growing as more teams received waivers to play. The committee's proposal aims to create a more standardized schedule. It also preserves standalone weekends for conference championship games and the Army-Navy game, while providing flexibility for potential College Football Playoff expansion.
The recommendation must be approved by the Division I Cabinet in June to be ratified. This adjustment addresses scheduling inconsistencies, such as the compressed 13-week window in 2026 caused by a late Labor Day.