Updated October 2026
New NCAA roster limits by sport took effect in the 2025–26 school year following the House v. NCAA settlement. Division 1 schools participating in the settlement must now follow maximum roster sizes instead of the old sport-specific scholarship caps. These changes affect how many athletes can join a team, receive athletic scholarships and earn roster spots. Here’s the full list of D1 roster limits and what the changes mean for college recruiting.
Key Takeaways
- NCAA Division 1 roster limits cap how many athletes participating schools can carry in each sport.
- D1 football has a roster limit of 105 players, while basketball is limited to 15 and baseball to 34.
- The previous sport-specific scholarship caps are gone, allowing participating schools to offer athletic scholarships to more players.
- New roster limits may reduce walk-on opportunities and make recruiting more competitive at some schools.
- Division 2 and Division 3 schools do not follow these new D1 roster limits.
NCAA Roster Limits by Sport: Full Division 1 List
The NCAA introduced new roster limits for Division 1 sports beginning with the 2025–26 academic year. Schools participating in the House settlement must follow these limits, which set the maximum number of players allowed on each team’s roster, with certain exceptions.
For example, D1 football programs have a roster limit of 105 players, while men’s and women’s basketball teams are limited to 15 players each.
NCAA Division 1 Roster Limits Table
The table below shows the NCAA roster limits by sport for Division 1 programs participating in the House settlement.
| Sport | D1 Roster Limit |
|---|---|
| Acrobatics and Tumbling (W) | 55 |
| Baseball (M) | 34 |
| Basketball (M) | 15 |
| Basketball (W) | 15 |
| Beach Volleyball (W) | 19 |
| Bowling (W) | 11 |
| Cross Country (M) | 17 |
| Cross Country (W) | 17 |
| Equestrian (W) | 50 |
| Fencing (M) | 24 |
| Fencing (W) | 24 |
| Field Hockey (W) | 27 |
| Flag Football (W) | 25* |
| Football | 105 |
| Golf (M) | 9 |
| Golf (W) | 9 |
| Gymnastics (M) | 20 |
| Gymnastics (W) | 20 |
| Ice Hockey (M) | 26 |
| Ice Hockey (W) | 26 |
| Lacrosse (M) | 48 |
| Lacrosse (W) | 38 |
| Rifle (M/W combined) | 12 |
| Rowing (W) | 68 |
| Rugby (W) | 36 |
| Skiing (M) | 16 |
| Skiing (W) | 16 |
| Soccer (M) | 28 |
| Soccer (W) | 28 |
| Softball (W) | 25 |
| STUNT (W) | 65 |
| Swimming and Diving (M) | 30 |
| Swimming and Diving (W) | 30 |
| Tennis (M) | 10 |
| Tennis (W) | 10 |
| Track and Field, Indoor (M) | 45 |
| Track and Field, Indoor (W) | 45 |
| Track and Field, Outdoor (M) | 45 |
| Track and Field, Outdoor (W) | 45 |
| Triathlon (W) | 14 |
| Volleyball (M) | 18 |
| Volleyball (W) | 18 |
| Water Polo (M) | 24 |
| Water Polo (W) | 24 |
| Wrestling (M) | 30 |
| Wrestling (W) | 30 |
The women’s flag football roster limit of 25 takes effect in the 2027–28 academic year. It is not yet effective for 2026–27.
Important: These limits apply to Division 1 schools participating in the House settlement. Certain designated student-athletes and other qualifying exceptions may be excluded from roster-limit calculations. Indoor and outdoor track and field are listed separately under NCAA rules, but athletes competing in both are not automatically counted as two different people.
Source: NCAA Division I Bylaw 17.2: Roster Limitations
House v. NCAA Settlement Explained
Big changes to Division 1 sports rolled out in the 2025–26 school year following the House v. NCAA settlement. The settlement changed how schools manage athletic scholarships, athlete payments and roster sizes, marking a major shift in college athletics.
Under the new model, participating schools can offer more athletic scholarships and make direct payments to student-athletes. However, they must also follow roster limits for each sport.
Watch the video below as we discuss the impact of the House v. NCAA settlement on athletic scholarships, athlete pay and recruiting.
The value of a roster spot is changing. While some athletes may have more scholarship opportunities, others may face increased competition for limited spots. Learn more about the new NCAA recruiting rules.
NCAA Scholarship Rules: What Changed?
The House settlement introduced several changes for participating Division 1 schools:
- No sport-specific scholarship caps: Schools can now offer athletic scholarships to every eligible athlete on their roster, removing the previous NCAA limits on the number of scholarship recipients per sport. However, schools decide how many scholarships they can afford.
- New roster limits: Schools must follow a maximum roster size for each sport. For example, D1 football programs have a limit of 105 players, compared with the previous limit of 85 full athletic scholarships in FBS football.
- More scholarship flexibility: Schools can offer full or partial athletic scholarships across sports, including sports that previously followed headcount scholarship rules.
- Direct payments: Participating schools can share revenue with student-athletes, subject to an annual benefits cap and applicable rules.
- NIL opportunities: Student-athletes can still earn money from their name, image and likeness (NIL), but certain third-party deals are subject to reporting and review requirements.
What’s the Difference Between Scholarship Limits and Roster Limits?
A scholarship limit controls how many athletic scholarships a school can offer. A roster limit controls how many athletes can be on a team.
Previously, NCAA Division 1 sports had scholarship caps that varied by sport. Some teams also carried additional players who received no athletic scholarship, commonly known as walk-ons.
Under the new rules, participating D1 schools no longer have sport-specific scholarship caps, but they must follow roster limits.
This means more players may qualify for athletic scholarships, but not every player is guaranteed one.
Example: D1 Football
| Previous Rules (FBS) | New Rules (Participating D1 Programs) |
|---|---|
| 85 full athletic scholarships | No sport-specific scholarship cap |
| Could carry additional walk-ons | 105-player roster limit, with exceptions |
| Scholarship opportunities restricted by NCAA cap | Scholarships available to any or all eligible rostered players at the school’s discretion |
For athletes and parents, the important difference is that a roster spot does not guarantee an athletic scholarship.
Learn more about athletic scholarships and how they work.
How Do NCAA Roster Limits Impact Walk-Ons?
Walk-ons have historically been a big part of Division 1 programs because of NCAA scholarship limitations. With the new roster limits, coaches must rethink how they manage scholarships and roster spots.
Some programs may have fewer opportunities for walk-on athletes, especially if their rosters previously exceeded the new limits.
The exact impact varies by sport, school and athletic department budget.
To understand how roster limits might affect you, stay in touch with college coaches. Ask them about their plans for walk-ons, scholarship availability and roster needs.
What Do Roster Limits Mean for High School Recruits?
New roster limits may make earning a spot at some Division 1 programs more competitive. Even if a school can offer more scholarships, the coach still has a limited number of roster spots.
High school athletes should:
- Ask coaches how many roster spots are available in their recruiting class.
- Find out whether the program is recruiting walk-ons.
- Understand the difference between a roster offer and a scholarship offer.
- Research programs across multiple NCAA divisions.
- Keep their recruiting information, stats and highlight videos updated.
The goal is to find a program where you can earn a roster spot, develop as an athlete and succeed academically.
What Is a Designated Student-Athlete?
A designated student-athlete is an athlete who qualifies for an exception to the new NCAA roster limits because their roster opportunity was affected by the House settlement.
This generally includes athletes who were on a school’s roster or eligibility records before April 7, 2025, or who had been recruited or promised a roster spot before that date, and whose opportunity would have been affected by the new limits.
Qualifying designated student-athletes do not count against the standard roster limit for the remainder of their athletic eligibility, even if they transfer to another participating school.
Not every returning athlete automatically qualifies. Schools must identify and certify eligible athletes under NCAA rules.
For families, this means a team could have more athletes than the published roster limit if it has qualifying designated student-athletes.
Will Student-Athletes Get Paid to Play College Sports Now?
Maybe, but it depends on the school and sport.
Beginning July 1, 2025, participating schools were allowed to share up to $20.5 million in annual benefits with student-athletes under the initial settlement cap. The cap is subject to adjustments over time.
- Each school decides how to allocate available money among its athletes.
- Football and men’s basketball may receive larger shares at some schools.
- Other sports, including softball, track and swimming, may receive smaller amounts or no direct payments.
- Not every school has the funding to offer the maximum allowed benefits.
These payments are separate from the NCAA roster limits. A team having 105 available football roster spots does not mean all 105 players will receive direct payments.
Do All Schools Have to Follow the New NCAA Roster Limits?
No. The roster limits apply to Division 1 schools participating in the House settlement.
Schools in the defendant conferences, including the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC, are subject to the settlement requirements. Other Division 1 schools can participate under the applicable NCAA rules.
Division 2 and Division 3 programs are not subject to these new D1 roster limits, although they have their own rules for scholarships, eligibility and team participation.
For recruits, it’s important to confirm whether a specific school follows the House settlement roster limits before comparing opportunities.
Are More NCAA Roster Rule Changes Coming?
College athletics continues to evolve as schools adjust to the House settlement and related NCAA rules.
Families should expect recruiting strategies, scholarship models and roster management to keep changing. Schools may also make different decisions about how to fund and fill their teams.
Stay informed by following updates from the NCAA and reviewing NCSA’s NCAA recruiting rules.
How to Adjust Your Recruiting Strategy to NCAA Roster Limits
Changes to NCAA scholarship rules and roster limits took effect in the 2025–26 school year. While their long-term impact on student-athletes and recruits is still unfolding, it’s important to stay informed and proactive.
Here’s what you can do right now to prepare:
- Stay informed and ask questions: Follow NCAA updates and talk to coaches about their roster needs, scholarship plans and recruiting timelines.
- Learn about recruiting rule changes: Stay connected with NCSA for guidance on navigating new rules. Explore NCSA recruiting workshops.
- Show your value and focus on performance: Keep your stats, highlight videos and recruiting profile updated. Strong academics and athletic performance can help you stand out.
- Explore programs across divisions: Don’t focus on Division 1 alone. Division 2, Division 3 and other college sports programs may offer a better fit for your athletic and academic goals.
By staying proactive and educating yourself about the changes, you can make better recruiting decisions and find the right opportunity.
Learn more about how to get recruited and take the next step in your college recruiting journey.
NCAA Roster Limits FAQs
How many roster spots does D1 football have?
Division 1 football programs participating in the House settlement have a roster limit of 105 players. This replaces the previous NCAA FBS scholarship cap of 85 with a maximum roster size. Qualifying designated student-athletes and other approved exceptions may allow teams to carry additional players.
Do roster limits apply to D2 and D3?
No. The new House settlement roster limits apply to participating NCAA Division 1 programs, not Division 2 or Division 3. D2 and D3 schools follow their own NCAA rules, and team sizes can vary by school and sport.
What is a designated student-athlete?
A designated student-athlete is a player who qualifies for an exception to the new Division 1 roster limits because their roster opportunity was affected by the House settlement. These athletes do not count against the standard team roster limit for the remainder of their eligibility.
Do NCAA roster limits include walk-ons?
Yes. Walk-ons generally count toward a participating Division 1 team’s roster limit, just like scholarship athletes. Some qualifying athletes may receive an exception, but being a walk-on does not automatically exempt a player from the roster limit.
Can every athlete on a D1 roster receive a scholarship?
Yes. Participating D1 schools can offer athletic scholarships to every eligible player on their roster. However, schools are not required to fund every athlete, and scholarship amounts depend on the program’s budget and decisions.
