FCS Playoffs: Automatic Bids Announced Ahead of Championship Season

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The 2025 FCS playoffs are set to kick off soon, with 11 automatic bids available for teams across various conferences. The announcement of teams that will automatically qualify for this year’s playoffs will be made on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Of the 24 teams that will compete in the playoffs, 10 will earn their spots based on conference affiliations, while an additional 13 will receive at-large bids as decided by the FCS Playoff Committee.

As of now, North Dakota State clinched the automatic bid from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) after defeating North Dakota 15-10 in Week 11. Similarly, Mercer secured the Southern Conference (SoCon) bid with a thrilling 49-47 victory against Western Carolina.

Many teams are still vying for their chance at the playoffs. Rhode Island can capture the CAA auto-bid in Week 12 while Harvard is in contention for the Ivy League slot. In the NEC, Central Connecticut State has a path to secure their automatic berth if they win their upcoming game.

The excitement doesn’t stop there, as Tennessee Tech, Stephen F. Austin, Abilene Christian, Jackson State, and Prairie View A&M all have routes to clinch their respective division bids in the coming weeks.

The competition in FCS football is heating up. This season, both fans and players are eager to see who will emerge as the top contenders in this year’s playoffs.