College sports never stay the same for long, and the transfer portal is proof of that.
Heading into the 2025–26 season, new NCAA rules are set to change how and when student-athletes can switch schools in football and men’s and women’s basketball. The updates are designed to create more roster stability and simplify the transfer process for both players and programs.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest transfer portal changes and what they mean for each sport.
Football Transfer Portal Changes (FBS and FCS)
- There is now just one window for players to enter the transfer portal.
- Players can enter the transfer portal from January 2 to January 16, 2026.
- The spring window has been eliminated, so players will not be able to enter in March/April.
- For athletes competing in postseason play (i.e. College Football Playoff), there is a rule which allows for entry into the portal during an additional five-day period after their season ends.
- For the coaching-change exception, the window for athletes whose head coach departs has been shortened to 15 days, opening five days after a new head coach is hired or announced. The old window used to be 30 days.
Men’s Basketball Transfer Portal Changes
- The transfer portal window has been reduced from 45 days to 30 days.
- The window opens after the second round of the NCAA Tournament. At this point, around 90% of teams are done for the season.
- There is a separate 30-day window for athletes whose head coach departs.
- Starting in the 2025–26 season, men’s basketball will move to a 22-week playing season, replacing the old day-count system. This change gives teams more flexibility with practice and game scheduling throughout the year.
Women’s Basketball Transfer Portal Changes
- The transfer portal window has been reduced from 45 days to 30 days.
- The window opens after the second round of the NCAA Tournament. At this point, around 90% of teams are done for the season.
- There is a separate 30-day window for athletes whose head coach departs.
- Unlike the men, women’s basketball will keep the current day-count calendar, as the new 22-week season format does not yet apply.
- The day-count system limits teams to a certain number of practice and competition days. It’s more restrictive and less flexible than the new 22-week model, which gives teams a set number of weeks instead of counting every individual day.
Overall, the updated transfer portal rules are looking to create a more consistent and organized process across major college sports, setting timelines and aligning transfer opportunities with each sport’s competitive and academic calendars.
