Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 18 AUGUST 2026

NCAA Enjoined From Enforcing New Fifth-Year Eligibility Rule

A federal court has issued a nationwide injunction blocking the NCAA from enforcing its new five-year eligibility rule against Division I athletes who graduated high school in 2022. The ruling creates immediate compliance challenges for athletic departments as they navigate roster management, revenue-sharing caps, and potential penalties while the NCAA appeals the decision.

United StatesConsumer Protection

On June 23, 2026, the NCAA adopted a new “five-for-five” eligibility rule, which granted Division I athletes five seasons of competition over a five-year period beginning with the earlier of their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday. The new rule replaced the traditional “redshirt” model that permitted four seasons of play over five years. Critically, however, the NCAA excluded athletes in the class of 2022 from the rule change, reasoning that broad reinstatement would displace incoming freshmen and destabilize rosters that had already been set under the limits imposed by the July 2025 House settlement. Predictably, litigation ensued.

The District of Colorado Quickly Grants Class Certification and Injunction

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

See more popular content from