FCS Spring Game Schedule 2026: Dozens of Programs Set for April Dates

Spring football in the FCS doesn't get the same national spotlight as an Alabama or Ohio State scrimmage, but for programs from Missoula to Villanova, the April showcase is every bit as consequential. A master calendar aggregated by FBSchedules tracks dozens of college football spring games and scrimmages for 2026, with FCS programs representing a substantial slice of the action across a two-week stretch beginning April 10.

The Window: April 10-25

The bulk of FCS spring activity falls in a tightly compressed 15-day run. The calendar establishes April 10 as the opening bell, with Montana kicking things off, and extends through April 25 with programs across the Big Sky, Colonial Athletic Association, Missouri Valley, MEAC, and independent ranks all slotted in. What the schedule makes immediately clear is that early-to-mid April functions as a de facto FCS showcase weekend bloc, much like bowl week does in December, just with position battles replacing bowl trophies as the main attraction.

The FBSchedules calendar is updated as dates, times, and broadcast information become available, which makes it a living document rather than a static list. For fans tracking multiple programs, that running update structure matters: kickoff windows, streaming platforms, and even event formats can shift as programs finalize logistics in the weeks before their games.

Saturday, April 11: The Biggest Day on the Calendar

No single date carries more FCS weight in the 2026 spring schedule than April 11. Six programs are currently slotted for that Saturday:

• Weber State
• Gardner-Webb
• Illinois State
• NC Central
• Tarleton State
• Richmond

The concentration of FCS activity on April 11 is no accident. Programs schedule spring games to avoid conflicts with rival events and recruiting calendars, and a shared Saturday creates natural competition for local media attention while still drawing prospects to individual campuses. For Illinois State, coming off a national championship game appearance against Montana State in January 2026, the spring game carries added intrigue: new depth charts, potential transfer arrivals, and a fanbase hungry to see the Redbirds' offseason moves translated into on-field alignment. Richmond, one of the CAA's consistently competitive programs, adds an East Coast anchor to what is otherwise a geographically diverse Saturday slate.

Montana Opens the Run on April 10

Montana gets the FCS spring schedule started on Friday, April 10, giving the Grizzlies a standalone date that separates them from the Saturday rush. As one of the marquee programs in the Big Sky Conference, Montana's spring game traditionally draws significant fan interest in Missoula, and a Friday slot gives it an event feel distinct from a midweek practice. The Grizzlies are one of several Big Sky programs accounted for in the full calendar, which covers conference programs from across the Mountain West corridor.

Later in April: Villanova, Youngstown State, and More

The schedule extends well past April 11. Villanova is listed for April 17, giving the Wildcats a mid-April window that typically aligns with the CAA's recruiting calendar and the program's spring visit period. Youngstown State follows on April 18, with the Penguins occupying a Saturday that sits squarely in the heart of Missouri Valley recruiting season. South Dakota State, one of the most decorated programs in FCS history, is listed as TBA, meaning the Jackrabbits' spring game remains on the calendar without a locked-in date as of publication.

The TBA entries are a notable feature of the FBSchedules aggregation: they confirm a program intends to hold a public spring event without yet committing to a specific date or time. For fans and media planning around those events, monitoring the calendar for updates is essential.

Broadcast Windows and Streaming

One of the more useful functions of the FBSchedules listing is its tracking of broadcast and streaming assignments. While most FCS spring games won't land on linear television, the calendar identifies which events have confirmed distribution through platforms including ESPN+, ACCNX, BTN, SECN+, YouTube, and local streaming partners. For programs with ESPN+ access, spring games represent a low-stakes opportunity to expand their digital footprint before fall, putting rosters and schemes in front of a national FCS audience months ahead of kickoff.

Not every program gets a broadcast window, and for many FCS schools, the spring game remains a purely in-stadium event. But the presence of streaming options, even informal YouTube productions, signals a broader shift in how programs treat spring exhibitions: less as a closed practice and more as a public product.

The Recruiting Dimension

The calendar serves a practical function well beyond fan convenience. For coaches, a publicly listed spring game date is a cornerstone of the official and unofficial visit calendar. Prospects and their families plan trips around it; the spring game is often the most accessible live look at a program's culture, stadium atmosphere, and coaching staff that a recruit will get before committing. At the FCS level, where roster-building is fiercely competitive and transfer portal activity has intensified, a well-attended spring game with a visible, energetic fan base sends a recruiting message that no highlight reel can fully replicate.

Programs also use the spring game window to announce depth chart developments publicly, spotlight walk-on contributors who've earned reps, and give incoming freshmen their first live action in program colors. Quarterback competitions, in particular, draw outsized attention: for a program entering the fall with an unsettled starter, the spring game is the first public data point in what will become a months-long storyline.

Roster-Building, Community Outreach, and What's Not on the List

Beyond evaluation, FCS spring games function as community events. Ticket prices are typically free or nominal, access to players and coaches is more open than during the fall, and programs often pair the game with fan-fest programming, youth clinics, and alumni engagement. For mid-major FCS programs in smaller markets, the spring game may represent the highest-attended public event of the entire calendar year outside of fall home games.

The FBSchedules page also notes programs that will not hold public spring games in 2026, providing a useful counterpoint to the packed April schedule. That list of opt-outs adds context: the programs that do show up on the calendar are making a deliberate choice to invest in the public-facing event, and for FCS programs with limited marketing budgets, that decision reflects genuine institutional commitment to fan engagement.

With Montana on deck for April 10 and a full Saturday of FCS football arriving April 11, the spring schedule is essentially already here. The calendar will continue to update as South Dakota State and other TBA programs lock in their dates, but the framework is clear: FCS spring football in 2026 is concentrated, competitive, and increasingly connected to the broadcast and recruiting infrastructure that defines the modern college game.