The NCAA Division III football playoffs are an exciting postseason tournament that ends in the Stagg Bowl, where the national champion is crowned. Only the top teams in the country make it into the playoffs after meeting automatic and at-large qualifications.

In April of 2024, the NCAA D3 Management Council decided to expand the tournament bracket from 32 to 40 teams and approved the use of the NCAA Power Index (NPI) for selection of at-large berths to team sports championships.

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Quite different from the way that Division I handles things, here's the full explanation on how the NCAA DIII football playoffs work as teams fight for the title of National Champion.

How do the Division 3 Football Playoffs Work?

How To Qualify For NCAA Division 3 Football Playoffs

In 2024, a total of 40 teams will make the Division III football playoffs. The vast majority of the teams—28 in total—earn automatic bids by winning their respective conferences. All Division III conferences are considered except for the New England Small College Athletic Conference, which chooses not to participate in the Division 3 football playoffs.

In addition to the automatic bids, 12 teams receive at-large invitations. These are granted to teams that did not win their conference but still have strong records and resumes. Criteria like winning percentage, strength of schedule, and quality wins are considered.

In 2024, teams are to be divided into a new 40-team bracket. The playoff field is split into four regions, each consisting of 10 teams. First-round matchups are organized by seed, 

When are the NCAA Division 3 Football Playoffs?

• Selection Show: Sunday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. ET on NCAA.com
• First Round: Saturday, Nov. 23
• Second Round: Saturday, Nov. 30
• Quarterfinals: Saturday, Dec. 7
• Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 14
• National Championship: Sunday, Jan. 5

NCAA Division 3 Football Championship History

View the past NCAA Division III football champions since 1973.

• 2023 - Cortland - 38-37 - North Central (IL) - Salem, Virginia
• 2022 - North Central (IL) - 28-21 - Mount Union - Annapolis, Maryland
• 2021 - Mary Hardin-Baylor - 57-24 - North Central (IL) - Canton, Ohio
• 2020 - Canceled due to Covid-19
• 2019 - North Central (IL) - 41-14 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - Shenandoah, Texas
• 2018 - Mary Hardin-Baylor - 24-16 - Mount Union - Shenandoah, Texas
• 2017 - Mount Union - 12-0 - Mary Hardin-Baylor - Salem, Virginia
• 2016 - Mary Hardin-Baylor - 10-7 - Wisconsin-Oshkosh - Salem, Virginia
• 2015 - Mount Union - 49-35 - St. Thomas (Minn.) - Salem, Virginia
• 2014 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - 43-34 - Mount Union - Salem, Virginia
• 2013 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - 52-14 - Mount Union - Salem, Virginia
• 2012 - Mount Union - 28-10 - St. Thomas (Minn.) - Salem, Virginia
• 2011 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - 13-10 - Mount Union - Salem, Virginia
• 2010 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - 31-21 - Mount Union - Salem, Virginia
• 2009 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - 38-28 - Mount Union - Salem, Virginia
• 2008 - Mount Union - 31-26 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - Salem, Virginia
• 2007 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - 31-21 - Mount Union - Salem, Virginia
• 2006 - Mount Union - 35-16 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - Salem, Virginia
• 2005 - Mount Union - 35-28 - Wisconsin-Whitewater - Salem, Virginia
• 2004 - Linfield - 28-21 - Mary Hardin-Baylor - Salem, Virginia
• 2003 - St. John's (Minn.) - 24-6 - Mount Union - Salem, Virginia
• 2002 - Mount Union - 48-7 - Trinity (Texas) - Salem, Virginia
• 2001 - Mount Union - 30-27 - Bridgewater (Va.) - Salem, Virginia
• 2000 - Mount Union - 10-7 - St. John's (Minn.) - Salem, Virginia
• 1999 - Pacific Lutheran - 42-13 - Rowan - Salem, Virginia
• 1998 - Mount Union - 44-24 - Rowan - Salem, Virginia
• 1997 - Mount Union - 61-12 - Lycoming - Salem, Virginia
• 1996 - Mount Union - 56-24 - Rowan - Salem, Virginia
• 1995 - Wisconsin-La Crosse - 36-7 - Rowan - Salem, Virginia
• 1994 - Albion - 38-15 - Washington & Jefferson - Salem, Virginia
• 1993 - Mount Union - 34-24 - Rowan - Salem, Virginia
• 1992 - Wisconsin-La Crosse - 16-12 - Washington & Jefferson - Bradenton, Florida
• 1991 - Ithaca - 34-20 - Dayton - Bradenton, Florida
• 1990 - Allegheny - 21-14 - Lycoming - Bradenton, Florida
• 1989 - Dayton - 17-7 - Union (N.Y.) - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1988 - Ithaca - 39-24 - Central (Iowa) - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1987 - Wagner - 19-3 - Dayton - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1986 - Augustana (Ill.) - 31-3 - Salisbury - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1985 - Augustana (Ill.) - 20-7 - Ithaca - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1984 - Augustana (Ill.) - 21-12 - Central (Iowa) - Kings Island, Ohio
• 1983 - Augustana (Ill.) - 21-17 - Union (N.Y.) - Kings Island, Ohio
• 1982 - West Georgia - 14-0 - Augustana (N.Y.) - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1981 - Widener - 24-10 - Dayton - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1980 - Dayton - 63-0 - Ithaca - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1979 - Ithaca - 14-10 - Wittenberg - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1978 - Baldwin-Wallace - 24-10 - Wittenberg - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1977 - Widener - 39-36 - Wabash - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1976 - St. John's (Minn.) - 31-28 - Towson - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1975 - Wittenberg - 28-0 - Ithaca - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1974 - Central (Iowa) - 10-8 - Ithaca - Phenix City, Alabama
• 1973 - Wittenberg - 41-0 - Juniata - Phenix City, Alabama

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