The NCAA’s new “5-in-5” rule (officially called the age-based eligibility model) changes how Division I eligibility is determined. Beginning in fall 2026, Division I schools will begin implementing the new model. Student-athletes enrolling in fall 2026 may use whichever system—the previous rules or the new age-based model—is more favorable to them, while the new model becomes mandatory for first-time full-time college enrollees beginning in fall 2027. Under the new model, student-athletes generally have five consecutive years to compete, with their five-year clock starting on the earlier of (1) their first full-time college enrollment or (2) the academic year associated with their 19th birthday.
For a plain-English explanation of how the rule works, who it affects, and the implications for families, read Coach Bryant’s explanation on the Student Athlete Advisors blog here. You can also review the NCAA’s official one-page overview here.
