NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- On Thursday morning, officials announced the Nashville Sports Council, the Ohio Valley Conference, Vanderbilt University, and Nashville have been awarded the NCAA Division I Football Championship games in 2026 and 2027.
The Nashville Sports Council said Nashville will be the 11th city to host the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Championship since 1978. The games will be played at FirstBank Stadium on Vanderbilt's campus on Jan. 5, 2026, and Jan. 4, 2027.
"On behalf of the Nashville Sports Council Board of Directors and entire Nashville community, we look forward to hosting the FCS National Championship in Music City in 2026 and 2027," Nashville Sports Council President and CEO Scott Ramsey stated. "We appreciate the confidence of the NCAA and FCS Selection Committee in our ability to showcase this prestigious championship event in Nashville and provide a memorable experience for the players, coaches, administrators, and fans."
"As a storied FCS conference, we are delighted to work with our partners to showcase our city and expose this cherished championship to a different region of the country," said Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "We are committed to ensuring that the student-athletes competing in this premier championship event have an exemplary experience."
"I’m excited to welcome this championship to a great sports city," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell added. "The new FirstBank Stadium will be a first-class venue, and I look forward to fans enjoying all Music City has to offer."
According to officials, Vanderbilt's newly-renovated FirstBank Stadium -- which seats approximately 35,000 people -- features modern facilities, fan-focused amenities, a state-of-the-art locker room, and a four-level press box. In addition, the nearby John Rich Complex has three practice fields; a 2,000-square-foot weight room; and synthetic turf matching the stadium’s surface.
"We’re thrilled to host the FCS Championship Game at FirstBank Stadium in 2026 and 2027,” said Candice Storey Lee, Vanderbilt athletic director and vice chancellor for university affairs and athletics. "We look forward to welcoming the competing teams and their fans to the Vanderbilt campus for an event they’ll remember the rest of their lives. No city is a better host for sports and entertainment than Nashville, and we’re excited to work with the Nashville Sports Council, the OVC, and other partners across the city to deliver an unforgettable experience in an electric, fan-friendly, and welcoming environment."
The Nashville Sports Council said the championship was previously held in Tennessee -- more specifically, in Chattanooga -- from 1997 to 2009. However, since 2010, it has been played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, which is where the upcoming FCS Championship game will take place at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2025, with ESPN airing it.