# NCAA Division I Football Championship

The NCAA Division I Football Championship is an annual post-season college football game, played since 2006, used to determine a national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). From 1978 to 2005, the game was called the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship, during the period when the FCS was known as NCAA Division I-AA.
The game serves as the final match of an annual postseason bracket tournament between top teams in FCS. Since 2013, 24 teams normally participate in the tournament, with some teams receiving automatic bids upon winning their conference championship, and other teams determined by a selection committee. The reigning national champions are the North Dakota State Bison, who have won 10 championships since the 2011 season.
The FCS is the highest division in college football to hold a playoff tournament sanctioned by the NCAA to determine its champion, as the College Football Playoff currently used by the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) is not NCAA-sanctioned.

## History
### Playoff format

In the inaugural season of Division I-AA, the 1978 postseason included just four teams; three regional champions (East, West, and South) plus an at-large selection. The field doubled to eight teams in 1981, with champions of five conferences—Big Sky, Mid-Eastern, Ohio Valley, Southwestern, and Yankee—receiving automatic bids. The top four teams were seeded, and then matched against the four remaining teams based on geographical proximity. The tournament was expanded to 12 teams in 1982, with each of the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye and a home game in the quarterfinals. Champions of the Southern and Southland conferences also received automatic bids.
The number of automatic bids has varied over time, due to changes in the number and size of conferences, with an automatic bid typically granted only to champions of conferences with at least six teams. Initially, the tournament was played in December; since the expansion to twelve teams in 1982, earlier rounds have been held in late November.
The playoffs expanded to a 16-team format in 1986, requiring four postseason victories to win the title. Initially, only the top four teams were seeded, with other teams geographically placed in the bracket. From 1995 through 2000, all 16 teams were seeded, independent of geography. In 2001, the number of seeded teams was reduced to four, with the seeded teams assured of home games in early tournament rounds, and other teams once again placed in the bracket to minimize travel. Home team designation in games between unseeded teams is determined based on several factors, including attendance history and revenue potential.
In April 2008, the NCAA announced that the playoff field would expand to 20 teams in 2010, with the Big South and Northeast Conference earning automatic bids for the first time. That bracket structure included seeding of the top five teams. Twelve teams received first-round byes; the remaining eight teams played first-round games, with the four winners advancing to face the top four seeds. The playoffs expanded to 24 teams beginning in 2013, with the champion of the Pioneer Football League receiving an automatic bid for the first time. The number of seeded teams was increased to eight, with the 16 unseeded teams playing in first-round games. The unseeded teams continue to be paired according to geographic proximity and then placed in the bracket according to geographic proximity to the top eight seeds. Teams cannot travel more than 400 miles via ground, and teams from the same conference that played each other during the regular season are not paired for first-round games. For the 2020 season, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the bracket was reduced to 16 teams. The bracket returned to 24 teams for the 2021 season.
The field is traditionally set the Sunday before Thanksgiving and play begins that weekend.

#### Team selection

At-large selections and seeding within the bracket are determined by the FCS Playoff Selection Committee, which consists of one athletic director from each conference with an automatic bid. As of the 2018 season, there were 10 conferences with automatic bids and the selection committee made 14 at-large selections. An 11th automatic bid was added as of the 2021 season, reducing the number of at-large selections to 13.

### Championship final

The tournament culminates with the national final, played between the two remaining teams from the playoff bracket. Unlike earlier round games in each year's playoff, which are played at campus sites, the title game is played at a site predetermined by the NCAA, akin to how the NFL predetermines the site for each Super Bowl. Originally played in December, with the 2010 expansion to a 20-team field, the final moved to January, with two or three weeks between the semifinals and final.
The inaugural title game was played in 1978 in Wichita Falls, Texas. The 1979 and 1980 games were held in Orlando, Florida, and Sacramento, California, respectively, and the game returned to Wichita Falls for 1981 and 1982. The games played in Wichita Falls were known as the Pioneer Bowl, while the game played in Sacramento was known as the Camellia Bowl—both names were used for various NCAA playoff games played in those locations, and were not specific to the I-AA championship. In 1983 and 1984, the game was played in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1985 and 1986, Tacoma, Washington, hosted the game, which the NCAA branded as the "Diamond Bowl".
The 1987 and 1988 games were played in Pocatello, Idaho; and from 1989 through 1991, in Statesboro, Georgia. The 1992 through 1996 games were held in Huntington, West Virginia; and from 1997 through 2009, the title game was played in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
From 2010 through the 2024 season, the title game was played in Frisco, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas, at Toyota Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium primarily used by FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. The stadium was known as Pizza Hut Park until the day after the final of the 2011 season, and then as FC Dallas Stadium until September 2013. The original contract with Frisco began in the 2010 season and ran through the 2012 season. The contract was extended three times; first through the 2015 season, then through the 2019 season, and finally through the 2024 season with an option for the 2025 season.
For at least 2026 and 2027, the title game will be played at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, home of the Vanderbilt Commodores, due to renovations beginning at Toyota Stadium following the 2025 title game.

#### Details

| Season(s) | Venue | Location | Tenant NCAA team | Title games by tenant |
| 1978 | Memorial Stadium | Wichita Falls, Texas | none | N/A |
| 1979 | Orlando Stadium | Orlando, Florida | UCF Knights (D-III) | N/A |
| 1980 | Hughes Stadium | Sacramento, California | none | N/A |
| 1981–1982 | Memorial Stadium | Wichita Falls, Texas | none | N/A |
| 1983–1984 | Johnson Hagood Stadium | Charleston, South Carolina | The Citadel Bulldogs | none |
| 1985–1986 | Tacoma Dome | Tacoma, Washington | none | N/A |
| 1987 | Minidome | Pocatello, Idaho | Idaho State Bengals | none |
| 1988 | Holt Arena | Pocatello, Idaho | Idaho State Bengals | none |
| 1989–1991 | Paulson Stadium | Statesboro, Georgia | Georgia Southern Eagles | 2: 1989, 1990 |
| 1992–1996 | Marshall University Stadium | Huntington, West Virginia | Marshall Thundering Herd | 4: 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 |
| 1997–2009 | Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Chattanooga Mocs | none |
| 2010–2011 | Pizza Hut Park | Frisco, Texas | none | N/A |
| 2012 | FC Dallas Stadium | Frisco, Texas | none | N/A |
| 2013–2025 | Toyota Stadium | Frisco, Texas | none | N/A |
| 2026–future | FirstBank Stadium | Nashville, Tennessee | Vanderbilt Commodores (FBS/SEC) | N/A |

##### Notes

* ↑ at the time games were played
* 1 2 3 Earlier name of the same venue.
There have been six instances where a team whose venue was predetermined to host the final game advanced to play for the championship on its own field. Georgia Southern won both title games it played at Paulson Stadium, while Marshall had a 2–2 record in four title games it played at Marshall University Stadium (now known as Joan C. Edwards Stadium).

### Non-participants

As of the 2025 season, two FCS conferences usually do not participate in the tournament: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
The Ivy League has been at the FCS level since 1982 and prohibits its members from awarding athletic scholarships in any sport and plays a strict ten-game regular season. Through the 2024 season, it did not participate in any postseason football, citing academic concerns. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (consisting of student-athletes at all sports, including those who participated in the NCAA tournament in their respective sport) recommended the change be reversed, and on December 18, 2024, the Ivy League announced starting with the 2025 season, the league champion will participate in the tournament.
The MEAC and SWAC, two conferences consisting of historically black colleges and universities, opt to play the Celebration Bowl (which was established in 2015) instead of the FCS tournament. MEAC gave up its automatic spot in the tournament prior to the 2015 season, while the SWAC's regular season extends through the Turkey Day Classic and Bayou Classic at the end of November and the SWAC Championship Game is played in December. Teams from the MEAC and SWAC may accept at-large bids, so long as they aren't committed to other postseason games that would conflict with the tournament. The most recent MEAC and SWAC teams to accept bids were the 2023 North Carolina Central Eagles and 2021 Florida A&M Rattlers, respectively.
Historically, conferences in FCS that did not offer athletic scholarships were not granted automatic bids into the tournament and, although in theory were eligible for at-large bids, never received any. The last non-scholarship conference in the subdivision, the Pioneer Football League, now receives a tournament bid, which was initiated with the 2013 postseason.

### FCS conferences

Membership numbers reflect those in the next FCS season in 2025.
| Conference | Nickname | Founded | Football members | Sports | Headquarters |
| Big Sky Conference | Big Sky | 1963 | 12 | 15 | Farmington, Utah |
| Big South Conference | Big South | 1983 | 2 | 19 | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| CAA Football | CAA | 1946 | 14 | 1 | Richmond, Virginia |
| Ivy League | | 1954 | 8 | 33 | Princeton, New Jersey |
| Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference | MEAC | 1970 | 6 | 16 | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Missouri Valley Football Conference | MVFC | 1982 | 10 | 1 | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Northeast Conference | NEC | 1981 | 8 | 22 | Somerset, New Jersey |
| Ohio Valley Conference | OVC | 1948 | 7 | 18 | Brentwood, Tennessee |
| Patriot League | | 1986 | 8 | 24 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania |
| Pioneer Football League | PFL | 1991 | 11 | 1 | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Southern Conference | SoCon | 1921 | 9 | 20 | Spartanburg, South Carolina |
| Southland Conference | | 1963 | 10 | 17 | Frisco, Texas |
| Southwestern Athletic Conference | SWAC | 1920 | 12 | 18 | Birmingham, Alabama |
| United Athletic Conference | UAC | 2022 | 9 | 1 | Englewood, Colorado |

#### Notes

* 1 2 The Big South and Ohio Valley Conference effectively merged their football leagues in 2023. Both leagues share a single automatic playoff berth.
* ↑ CAA Football is administered by the multi-sports Coastal Athletic Association but is a separate legal entity.
* ↑ Although CAA Football did not exist in its current form until 2007, it claims the football histories of the Yankee Conference (formed in 1946, played football from 1947–1995) and Atlantic 10 Conference (football from 1996–2006). It does not claim the history of the New England Conference (1938–1946), even though four of the six charter Yankee Conference members were NEC members in its final season.
* ↑ The Ivy League abstained from the championship tournament and all postseason play until the end of the 2024 season. Starting in 2025, the Ivy League Champion will participate in the NCAA Tournament.
* ↑ The MEAC champion, since 2015, forgoes its automatic bid to allow its champion to participate in the Celebration Bowl. Non-champions are eligible for at-large bids (an example being the 2016 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team, which now plays in CAA Football.).
* ↑ The SWAC abstains from the championship tournament to allow for a longer regular season, a conference final, and participation in the Celebration Bowl against the MEAC champion since 2015.
* ↑ Formed in 2022 as a joint venture of the Atlantic Sun Conference and Western Athletic Conference football playing members; first season in 2023.

## Champions
### Championship game history

For each season since the inaugural year of Division I-AA play, 1978, the following table lists the date of each title game and the champion. The score and runner-up are also noted, along with the host city, game attendance, and head coach of the championship team.
| Ed. | Season | Date | Champion | Score | Runner-up | Location | Attendance | Winning head coach |
| 1 | 1978 | December 16, 1978 | Florida A&M | 35–28 | Massachusetts | Wichita Falls, TX | 13,604 | Rudy Hubbard |
| 2 | 1979 | December 15, 1979 | Eastern Kentucky | 30–7 | Lehigh | Orlando, FL | 5,200 | Roy Kidd |
| 3 | 1980 | December 20, 1980 | Boise State | 31–29 | Eastern Kentucky | Sacramento, CA | 8,157 | Jim Criner |
| 4 | 1981 | December 19, 1981 | Idaho State | 34–23 | Eastern Kentucky | Wichita Falls, TX | 11,002 | Dave Kragthorpe |
| 5 | 1982 | December 18, 1982 | Eastern Kentucky (2) | 17–14 | Delaware | Wichita Falls, TX | 11,257 | Roy Kidd (2) |
| 6 | 1983 | December 17, 1983 | Southern Illinois | 43–7 | Western Carolina | Charleston, SC | 15,950 | Rey Dempsey |
| 7 | 1984 | December 15, 1984 | Montana State | 19–6 | Louisiana Tech | Charleston, SC | 9,125 | Dave Arnold |
| 8 | 1985 | December 21, 1985 | Georgia Southern | 44–42 | Furman | Tacoma, WA | 5,306 | Erk Russell |
| 9 | 1986 | December 19, 1986 | Georgia Southern (2) | 48–21 | Arkansas State | Tacoma, WA | 4,419 | Erk Russell (2) |
| 10 | 1987 | December 19, 1987 | Northeast Louisiana | 43–42 | Marshall | Pocatello, ID | 11,513 | Pat Collins |
| 11 | 1988 | December 17, 1988 | Furman | 17–12 | Georgia Southern | Pocatello, ID | 9,714 | Jimmy Satterfield |
| 12 | 1989 | December 16, 1989 | Georgia Southern (3) | 37–34 | Stephen F. Austin | Statesboro, GA | 25,725 | Erk Russell (3) |
| 13 | 1990 | December 15, 1990 | Georgia Southern (4) | 36–13 | Nevada | Statesboro, GA | 23,204 | Tim Stowers |
| 14 | 1991 | December 21, 1991 | Youngstown State | 25–17 | Marshall | Statesboro, GA | 12,667 | Jim Tressel |
| 15 | 1992 | December 19, 1992 | Marshall | 31–28 | Youngstown State | Huntington, WV | 31,304 | Jim Donnan |
| 16 | 1993 | December 18, 1993 | Youngstown State (2) | 17–5 | Marshall | Huntington, WV | 29,218 | Jim Tressel (2) |
| 17 | 1994 | December 17, 1994 | Youngstown State (3) | 28–14 | Boise State | Huntington, WV | 27,674 | Jim Tressel (3) |
| 18 | 1995 | December 16, 1995 | Montana | 22–20 | Marshall | Huntington, WV | 32,106 | Don Read |
| 19 | 1996 | December 21, 1996 | Marshall (2) | 49–29 | Montana | Huntington, WV | 30,052 | Bob Pruett |
| 20 | 1997 | December 20, 1997 | Youngstown State (4) | 10–9 | McNeese State | Chattanooga, TN | 14,771 | Jim Tressel (4) |
| 21 | 1998 | December 19, 1998 | Massachusetts | 55–43 | Georgia Southern | Chattanooga, TN | 17,501 | Mark Whipple |
| 22 | 1999 | December 18, 1999 | Georgia Southern (5) | 59–24 | Youngstown State | Chattanooga, TN | 20,052 | Paul Johnson |
| 23 | 2000 | December 16, 2000 | Georgia Southern (6) | 27–25 | Montana | Chattanooga, TN | 17,156 | Paul Johnson (2) |
| 24 | 2001 | December 21, 2001 | Montana (2) | 13–6 | Furman | Chattanooga, TN | 12,698 | Joe Glenn |
| 25 | 2002 | December 20, 2002 | Western Kentucky | 34–14 | McNeese State | Chattanooga, TN | 12,360 | Jack Harbaugh |
| 26 | 2003 | December 19, 2003 | Delaware | 40–0 | Colgate | Chattanooga, TN | 14,281 | K. C. Keeler |
| 27 | 2004 | December 17, 2004 | James Madison | 31–21 | Montana | Chattanooga, TN | 16,771 | Mickey Matthews |
| 28 | 2005 | December 16, 2005 | Appalachian State | 21–16 | Northern Iowa | Chattanooga, TN | 20,236 | Jerry Moore |
| 29 | 2006 | December 15, 2006 | Appalachian State (2) | 28–17 | Massachusetts | Chattanooga, TN | 22,808 | Jerry Moore (2) |
| 30 | 2007 | December 14, 2007 | Appalachian State (3) | 49–21 | Delaware | Chattanooga, TN | 23,010 | Jerry Moore (3) |
| 31 | 2008 | December 19, 2008 | Richmond | 24–7 | Montana | Chattanooga, TN | 17,823 | Mike London |
| 32 | 2009 | December 18, 2009 | Villanova | 23–21 | Montana | Chattanooga, TN | 14,328 | Andy Talley |
| 33 | 2010 | January 7, 2011 | Eastern Washington | 20–19 | Delaware | Frisco, TX | 13,027 | Beau Baldwin |
| 34 | 2011 | January 7, 2012 | North Dakota State | 17–6 | Sam Houston State | Frisco, TX | 20,586 | Craig Bohl |
| 35 | 2012 | January 5, 2013 | North Dakota State (2) | 39–13 | Sam Houston State | Frisco, TX | 21,411 | Craig Bohl (2) |
| 36 | 2013 | January 4, 2014 | North Dakota State (3) | 35–7 | Towson | Frisco, TX | 19,802 | Craig Bohl (3) |
| 37 | 2014 | January 10, 2015 | North Dakota State (4) | 29–27 | Illinois State | Frisco, TX | 20,918 | Chris Klieman |
| 38 | 2015 | January 9, 2016 | North Dakota State (5) | 37–10 | Jacksonville State | Frisco, TX | 21,836 | Chris Klieman (2) |
| 39 | 2016 | January 7, 2017 | James Madison (2) | 28–14 | Youngstown State | Frisco, TX | 14,423 | Mike Houston |
| 40 | 2017 | January 6, 2018 | North Dakota State (6) | 17–13 | James Madison | Frisco, TX | 19,090 | Chris Klieman (3) |
| 41 | 2018 | January 5, 2019 | North Dakota State (7) | 38–24 | Eastern Washington | Frisco, TX | 17,802 | Chris Klieman (4) |
| 42 | 2019 | January 11, 2020 | North Dakota State (8) | 28–20 | James Madison | Frisco, TX | 17,866 | Matt Entz |
| 43 | 2020 | May 16, 2021 | Sam Houston | 23–21 | South Dakota State | Frisco, TX | 7,840 | K. C. Keeler (2) |
| 44 | 2021 | January 8, 2022 | North Dakota State (9) | 38–10 | Montana State | Frisco, TX | 18,942 | Matt Entz (2) |
| 45 | 2022 | January 8, 2023 | South Dakota State | 45–21 | North Dakota State | Frisco, TX | 18,023 | John Stiegelmeier |
| 46 | 2023 | January 7, 2024 | South Dakota State (2) | 23–3 | Montana | Frisco, TX | 19,512 | Jimmy Rogers |
| 47 | 2024 | January 6, 2025 | North Dakota State (10) | 35–32 | Montana State | Frisco, TX | 18,005 | Tim Polasek |
| 48 | 2025 | TBA, January 2026 | | | | Nashville, TN | | |
| 49 | 2026 | TBA, January 2027 | | | | Nashville, TN | | |
Notes:
* 1987 champion Northeast Louisiana has been known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe (Louisiana–Monroe) since 1999.
* The 2020–21 school year was the first in which Sam Houston State University called its athletic program "Sam Houston", without the word "State".
* Attendance at the 2020 championship game (played in May 2021) was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Appearances by team

Updated through the January 2024 championship game, following the 2023 football season.
Key
* CH National Champion
* RU National Runner-up
* SF Semifinals
* QF Quarterfinals
* 12  16 Round of 12 (1982 through 1985), Round of 16 (1986 to present)
* • First Round (2010 to present, except for 2020)
| School | Conference (as of 2024) | # | 16 | QF | SF | CG | CH | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| North Dakota State | MVFC | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | CH | CH | CH | CH | CH | SF | CH | CH | CH | QF | CH | RU | SF |
| Georgia Southern | FBS | 19 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 6 | | | | | | | | CH | CH | QF | RU | CH | CH | | | QF | | QF | | QF | RU | CH | CH | SF | SF | | 16 | 16 | | | | | SF | SF | SF | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Youngstown State | MVFC | 13 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | QF | 16 | CH | RU | CH | CH | | | CH | | RU | 16 | | | | | | SF | | | | | | | | | | RU | | | | | | | 16 |
| Appalachian State | FBS | 20 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | | | | | | | | | 16 | SF | | 16 | | 16 | 16 | | QF | QF | | | QF | 16 | SF | QF | 16 | | | CH | CH | CH | QF | SF | QF | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Montana | Big Sky | 28 | 28 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 2 | | | | | 12 | | | | | | 16 | SF | | | | 16 | SF | CH | RU | 16 | 16 | 16 | RU | CH | QF | 16 | RU | 16 | SF | 16 | RU | RU | | SF | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | | QF | | QF | 16 | RU |
| Marshall | FBS | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | RU | QF | | | RU | CH | RU | SF | RU | CH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Eastern Kentucky | UAC | 22 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | | CH | RU | RU | CH | 12 | 12 | | SF | QF | SF | 16 | 16 | SF | 16 | 16 | QF | 16 | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | • | | | • | | | | | | | | • | |
| James Madison | FBS | 18 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | QF | | | QF | 16 | | | | 16 | | | | | CH | | 16 | 16 | SF | | | 16 | | | • | 16 | CH | RU | 16 | RU | SF | SF | | |
| South Dakota State | MVFC | 13 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | • | QF | SF | SF | 16 | RU | SF | CH | CH |
| Delaware | Coastal | 19 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | | | | QF | RU | | | | QF | | 16 | | | 16 | SF | QF | | QF | 16 | SF | | | SF | | | CH | QF | | | RU | | | RU | | | | | | | | • | | SF | | 16 | 16 |
| Sam Houston | FBS | 13 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 1 | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | SF | | | | | | | RU | RU | 16 | SF | SF | QF | SF | | | CH | QF | | |
| Furman | Southern | 20 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | | | | | 12 | SF | | RU | 16 | | CH | SF | QF | | | | | | QF | | | 16 | 16 | RU | 16 | | QF | SF | 16 | | | | | | | 16 | | | | 16 | | • | | | 16 | QF |
| UMass | FBS | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | RU | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 16 | | | | | | | | CH | QF | | | | 16 | | | RU | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Eastern Washington | Big Sky | 15 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 1 | | | | | | | | QF | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | SF | | | | | | | QF | 16 | | QF | | 16 | CH | | SF | SF | QF | | SF | | RU | | 16 | 16 | | |
| Montana State | Big Sky | 13 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | | | | | | | CH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | QF | | | | 16 | QF | QF | | • | | | | 16 | SF | | RU | SF | 16 |
| Boise State | FBS | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | | | CH | SF | | | | | | | 16 | | SF | | | | RU | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Villanova | Coastal | 15 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 16 | 16 | | | | 16 | QF | | | | | SF | | | | | | QF | CH | SF | | • | | QF | | 16 | | | • | | QF | | QF |
| Richmond | Coastal | 13 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | QF | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | QF | | | | | QF | | SF | CH | QF | | | | | 16 | SF | QF | | | | | | 16 | 16 |
| Southern Illinois | MVFC | 11 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | CH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | QF | QF | SF | 16 | QF | | | | | | | | | | | QF | 16 | | 16 |
| Florida A&M | SWAC | 8 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | CH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | QF | SF | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | |
| Western Kentucky | FBS | 8 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | 16 | QF | | | | | | | | | QF | | | QF | 16 | CH | QF | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Louisiana–Monroe | FBS | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | CH | | | 16 | | QF | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Idaho State | Big Sky | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | CH | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| McNeese | Southland | 16 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 2 | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | QF | QF | QF | SF | | RU | 16 | | 16 | 16 | RU | 16 | | | 16 | 16 | | 16 | | | | 16 | | 16 | | | | | | | | |
| Northern Iowa | MVFC | 22 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 1 | - | | | | | | | | SF | | SF | | | 16 | QF | SF | 16 | 16 | QF | SF | | | | | SF | | QF | | RU | | QF | SF | | • | QF | | | 16 | QF | | 16 | 16 | QF | | • | | |
| Nevada | FBS | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | - | SF | SF | | | | SF | | SF | SF | | | | RU | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Lehigh | Patriot | 11 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | - | | RU | SF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | 16 | QF | QF | | | 16 | | | | | | 16 | QF | | | | | • | • | | | | | | |
| Illinois State | MVFC | 8 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | SF | | | | | | | QF | | | | | | QF | | RU | QF | • | | | QF | | | | |
| Stephen F. Austin | UAC | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | - | | | | | | | | | | | QF | RU | | | | 16 | | SF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | 16 | | | | • | | | | | | | • | | |
| Louisiana Tech | FBS | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | | | | | SF | | RU | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Colgate | Patriot | 11 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | | | | | QF | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | | RU | | 16 | | | 16 | | | | • | | | QF | | | QF | | | | | |
| Arkansas State | FBS | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | | | | | | | QF | QF | RU | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Jacksonville State | FBS | 10 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | | 16 | | | QF | 16 | RU | 16 | 16 | 16 | | QF | | | |
| Towson | Coastal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | RU | | | | | • | | | | | |
| Western Carolina | Southern | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | | | | | | RU | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| New Hampshire | Coastal | 17 | 16 | 9 | 2 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | QF | QF | QF | 16 | QF | QF | QF | 16 | 16 | SF | SF | • | 16 | QF | | | | | 16 | |
| Idaho | Big Sky | 13 | 12 | 5 | 2 | - | - | | | | | QF | | | 12 | 16 | 16 | SF | 16 | QF | | 16 | SF | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | QF |
| William & Mary | Coastal | 11 | 11 | 5 | 2 | - | - | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | 16 | QF | | | 16 | | | QF | | | | | 16 | | | SF | | | | | SF | 16 | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | QF | |
| Troy | FBS | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SF | 16 | 16 | SF | | 16 | QF | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wofford | Southern | 10 | 9 | 6 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SF | | | | QF | 16 | | QF | 16 | QF | | | | QF | QF | 16 | • | | | | |
| Middle Tennessee | FBS | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | SF | QF | | | | QF | QF | QF | QF | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weber State | Big Sky | 10 | 9 | 5 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | 16 | | | | | | | • | QF | QF | SF | 16 | | 16 | |
| Western Illinois | OVC–Big South | 11 | 10 | 4 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | 16 | | | | | 16 | QF | SF | | 16 | | QF | QF | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | 16 | | • | | | | | | |
| Maine | Coastal | 8 | 8 | 4 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | QF | | | | | | 16 | | | QF | | 16 | | | | | SF | | | | | |
| Tennessee State | OVC–Big South | 6 | 6 | 3 | 1 | - | - | | | | QF | SF | | | | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rhode Island | Coastal | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | | | | QF | | | SF | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Jackson State | SWAC | 12 | 12 | 2 | 1 | - | - | SF | | | QF | 12 | | | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Northwestern State | Southland | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | | | | | | | 16 | SF | | | 16 | 16 | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Murray State | MVFC | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | - | - | | SF | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | 16 | QF | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South Carolina State | MEAC | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | - | - | | | | SF | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | • | | | • | | | | | | | | | | |
| Samford | Southern | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SF | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | • | • | | | | | QF | |
| Grambling State | SWAC | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | - | | | SF | | | | | 12 | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Albany | Coastal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | SF |
| Incarnate Word | Southland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | 16 | SF | |
| UCF | FBS | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | SF | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 'Texas State | FBS | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SF | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Florida Atlantic | FBS | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Eastern Illinois | OVC–Big South | 16 | 14 | 4 | - | - | - | | | | | QF | 12 | | | QF | | | QF | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | 16 | | | • | QF | | • | | | | | | | | |
| Holy Cross | Patriot | 6 | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | | | | | | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | • | 16 | 16 | QF | |
| Boston University | no team | 5 | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | | | | | 12 | QF | 12 | | | | | | | | | QF | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Hofstra | no team | 5 | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 16 | | QF | QF | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Coastal Carolina | FBS | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | • | | 16 | QF | QF | • | | | | | | | | |
| Kennesaw State | FBS | 4 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | QF | 16 | | 16 | | |
| Indiana State | MVFC | 3 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | | | | | | QF | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | |
| East Tennessee State | Southern | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | QF | | |
| Nicholls | Southland | 7 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | QF | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | • | 16 | 16 | | | | • |
| The Citadel | Southern | 5 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 16 | | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | |
| Chattanooga | Southern | 5 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | 16 |
| Northern Arizona | Big Sky | 6 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | 16 | | 16 | | QF | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | • | | | | | | |
| Fordham | Patriot | 6 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | | | 16 | | | | | | 16 | 16 | • | | | | | | | • | |
| North Carolina A&T | Coastal | 5 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | QF | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Southland | 5 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | • | | | | | 16 | | 16 | 16 | |
| North Texas | FBS | 4 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | QF | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sacramento State | Big Sky | 4 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 16 | QF | 16 |
| Missouri State | MVFC | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | • | | |
| Cal Poly | Big Sky | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | 16 | | | | 16 | | | | • | | | | | | | |
| Alcorn State | SWAC | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | QF | | | | | | | | 16 | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| North Dakota | MVFC | 5 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | • | QF | | • | • |
| South Dakota | MVFC | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | • | | QF |
| Old Dominion | FBS | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | QF | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Charleston Southern | OVC–Big South | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | • | | | | | | | |
| UC Davis | Big Sky | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | • | | |
| Austin Peay | UAC | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | | • |
| UConn | FBS | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Hampton | Coastal | 5 | 5 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Central Arkansas | UAC | 5 | 5 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | 16 | 16 | | 16 | | | | |
| Bethune–Cookman | SWAC | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | 16 | | • | • | | | | | | | | | | |
| Lafayette | Patriot | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | | | • |
| Stony Brook | Coastal | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 16 | | | | | 16 | • | | | | | |
| San Diego | Pioneer | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | 16 | 16 | • | • | | | | |
| Southeast Missouri State | OVC–Big South | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | 16 | • | | | • | |
| Monmouth | Coastal | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | 16 | 16 | | | |
| Portland State | Big Sky | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | |
| UT Martin | OVC–Big South | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | |
| Elon | Coastal | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | • | • | | | | • | |
| Sacred Heart | Northeast | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | • | | | | | | 16 | • | | |
| Southern Utah | UAC | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | • | | 16 | | | | | | |
| Davidson | Pioneer | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | • | • | |
| Duquesne | Northeast | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | 16 | | | | | • |
| Gardner–Webb | OVC–Big South | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | • |
| Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Akron | FBS | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Howard | MEAC | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Northeastern | no team | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Delaware State | MEAC | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wagner | Northeast | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liberty | FBS | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | |
| VMI | Southern | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | |
| Mercer | Southern | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 |
| Saint Francis (PA) | Northeast | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | • | |
| Central Connecticut | Northeast | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | • | | | | |
| Robert Morris | Northeast | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Norfolk State | MEAC | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tennessee Tech | OVC–Big South | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Butler | Pioneer | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | | | |
| Morgan State | MEAC | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | | |
| Dayton | Pioneer | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | | | | |
| Lamar | Southland | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • | | | | | |
| North Carolina Central | MEAC | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • |
| Drake | Pioneer | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • |

## MVPs

Since 2009, a Most Outstanding Player has been named for each final.
| Season | Player | Team | Position |
| 2009 | Matt Szczur | Villanova | WR |
| 2010 | Bo Levi Mitchell | Eastern Washington | QB |
| 2011 | Travis Beck | North Dakota State | LB |
| 2012 | Brock Jensen | North Dakota State | QB |
| 2013 | Brock Jensen | North Dakota State | QB |
| 2014 | Carson Wentz | North Dakota State | QB |
| 2015 | Carson Wentz | North Dakota State | QB |
| 2016 | Khalid Abdullah | James Madison | RB |
| 2017 | Easton Stick | North Dakota State | QB |
| 2018 | Darrius Shepherd | North Dakota State | WR |
| 2019 | Trey Lance | North Dakota State | QB |
| 2020 | Jequez Ezzard | Sam Houston | WR |
| 2021 | Hunter Luepke | North Dakota State | FB |
| 2022 | Mark Gronowski | South Dakota State | QB |
| 2023 | Mark Gronowski | South Dakota State | QB |
| 2024 | Cam Miller | North Dakota State | QB |
Note: starting with the 2010 season, the final game is played in the next calendar year.

## Most appearances

The following table summarizes appearances in the final, by team, since the 1978 season, the first year of Division I-AA (the predecessor of FCS).
Updated through the January 2025 championship game (47 finals, 94 total appearances). Schools are listed by their current athletic brand names, which do not always match those used in a given season.
| Team | Record | Record | Record | Record | App. | App. |
| Team | Games | W | L | Win % | Won | Lost |
| North Dakota State | 11 | 10 | 1 | .909 | 2011*, 2012*, 2013*, 2014*, 2015*, 2017*, 2018*, 2019*, 2021*, 2024* | 2022* |
| Georgia Southern^ | 8 | 6 | 2 | .750 | 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000 | 1988, 1998 |
| Montana | 8 | 2 | 6 | .250 | 1995, 2001 | 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2023* |
| Youngstown State | 7 | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 | 1992, 1999, 2016* |
| Marshall^ | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 | 1992, 1996 | 1987, 1991, 1993, 1995 |
| James Madison^ | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | 2004, 2016* | 2017*, 2019* |
| Eastern Kentucky | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | 1979, 1982 | 1980, 1981 |
| Delaware | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | 2003 | 1982, 2007, 2010* |
| Appalachian State^ | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 2005, 2006, 2007 | |
| South Dakota State | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 | 2022*, 2023* | 2020* |
| Montana State | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 1984 | 2021*, 2024* |
| Furman | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 1988 | 1985, 2001 |
| Sam Houston^ | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 2020* | 2011*, 2012* |
| Massachusetts^ | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 1998 | 1978, 2006 |
| Boise State^ | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | 1980 | 1994 |
| Eastern Washington | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | 2010* | 2018* |
| McNeese | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | | 1997, 2002 |
| Florida A&M | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1978 | |
| Idaho State | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1981 | |
| Louisiana–Monroe^ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1987 | |
| Richmond | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 2008 | |
| Southern Illinois | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1983 | |
| Villanova | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 2009 | |
| Western Kentucky^ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 2002 | |
| Arkansas State^ | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 1986 |
| Colgate | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 2003 |
| Illinois State | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 2014* |
| Jacksonville State^ | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 2015* |
| Lehigh | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 1979 |
| Louisiana Tech^ | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 1984 |
| Nevada^ | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 1990 |
| Northern Iowa | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 2005 |
| Stephen F. Austin | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 1989 |
| Towson | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 2013* |
| Western Carolina | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 1983 |
    * Denotes finals played in the following calendar year.
    ^ Team is now a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

## Appearances by conference

The following table summarizes appearances in the final, by conference, since the 1978 season, the first year of Division I-AA (the predecessor of FCS).
Updated through the January 2025 championship game (47 finals, 94 total appearances).
| Conference | Record | Record | Record | Record | App | App |
| Conference | Games | W | L | Win % | Won | Lost |
| MVFC | 20 | 14 | 6 | .700 | 1997, 2002, 2011*, 2012*, 2013*, 2014*, 2015*, 2017*, 2018*, 2019*, 2021*, 2022*, 2023*, 2024* | 1999, 2005, 2014*, 2016*, 2020*, 2022* |
| Big Sky | 17 | 6 | 11 | .353 | 1980, 1981, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2010* | 1990, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2018*, 2021*, 2023*, 2024* |
| SoCon | 16 | 8 | 8 | .500 | 1988, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007 | 1983, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001 |
| Independent | 11 | 7 | 4 | .636 | 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 | 1979, 1982, 1988, 1992 |
| Southland | 9 | 2 | 7 | .222 | 1987, 2020* | 1984, 1986, 1989, 1997, 2002, 2011*, 2012* |
| CAA Football | 8 | 3 | 5 | .375 | 2008, 2009, 2016* | 2007, 2010*, 2013*, 2017*, 2019* |
| OVC | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | 1979, 1982 | 1980, 1981, 2015* |
| A-10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 | 1998, 2003, 2004 | 2006 |
| MVC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1983 | |
| SIAC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1978 | |
| Patriot League | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 2003 |
| Yankee | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | | 1978 |
* Games marked with an asterisk (*) were played in the following calendar year.
* Records reflect conference affiliations at the time each game was played.
* Conferences in italics are defunct or not currently active in FCS.
* The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) are historically related but independently operating entities. MVFC was known as the Gateway Football Conference until June 2008.
* The Yankee Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), and CAA Football, although separately chartered, are effectively the same entity in football. The Yankee Conference, formerly an all-sports conference but a football-only league since 1976, was effectively merged into the A-10 after the 1996 season. In turn, the A-10 shut down its football league after the 2006 season, with the multi-sports Colonial Athletic Association (since renamed the Coastal Athletic Association) taking over administration of that league as the separate entity of CAA Football.
* Teams from the same conference have met in the championship game following the 2014 and 2022 seasons. Both matchups involved MVFC teams.

## Game records

This table lists records for the Championship Game.
| Record | Qty. | Team | Opponent | Edition |
| Most points scored (one team) | 59 | Georgia Southern | Youngstown State | 1999 |
| Most points scored (losing team) | 43 | Georgia Southern | UMass | 1998 |
| Most points scored (both teams) | 98 | UMass (55) | Georgia Southern (43) | 1998 |
| Fewest points allowed | 0 | Delaware | Colgate | 2003 |
| Largest margin of victory | 40 | Delaware (40) | Colgate (0) | 2003 |
| Attendance | 32,106 | Montana vs. Marshall | Montana vs. Marshall | 1995 |

## Media coverage

The game has been televised on an ESPN affiliated network since 1995.
| Season | Network |
| 1978–1981 | ABC |
| 1982 | CBS Sports |
| 1983 | ABC |
| 1984 | Satellite Program Network |
| 1985–1989 | ESPN |
| 1990–1994 | CBS |
| 1995–2001 | ESPN |
| 2002–2018 | ESPN2 |
| 2019–2020 | ABC |
| 2021 | ESPN2 |
| 2022–2023 | ABC |
| 2024–present | ESPN |
Note: starting with the 2010 season, the final game is played in the next calendar year.
| Date | Network | Play-by-play announcers | Color commentators | Sideline reporter |
| January 6, 2025 | ESPN | Dave Flemming | Brock Osweiler | Stormy Buonatony |
| January 7, 2024 | ABC | Roy Philpott | Roddy Jones | Taylor McGregor |
| January 8, 2023 | ABC | Roy Philpott | Jay Walker | Paul Carcaterra |
| January 8, 2022 | ESPN2 | Dave Flemming | Jay Walker | Stormy Buonatony |
| May 16, 2021 | ABC | Dave Pasch | Andre Ware | Kris Budden |
| January 11, 2020 | ABC | Mark Jones | Dusty Dvoracek | Olivia Dekker |
| January 5, 2019 | ESPN2 | Taylor Zarzour | Matt Stinchcomb | Kris Budden |
| January 6, 2018 | ESPN2 | Dave Neal | Matt Stinchcomb | Quint Kessenich |
| January 7, 2017 | ESPN2 | Anish Shroff | Ahmad D. Brooks | Quint Kessenich |
| January 9, 2016 | ESPN2 | Anish Shroff | Ahmad D. Brooks | Quint Kessenich |
| January 10, 2015 | ESPN2 | Anish Shroff | Kelly Stouffer | Cara Capuano |
| January 4, 2014 | ESPN2 | Anish Shroff | Kelly Stouffer | Cara Capuano |
| January 5, 2013 | ESPN2 | Dave Neal | Jay Walker | Cara Capuano |
| January 7, 2012 | ESPN2 | Dave Neal | David Diaz-Infante | Allison Williams |
| January 7, 2011 | ESPN2 | Dave Neal | Andre Ware | Jon Berger |
| December 18, 2009 | ESPN2 | Eric Collins | Brock Huard | Cara Campuano |
| December 19, 2008 | ESPN2 | Bob Wischusen | Brock Huard | |
| December 14, 2007 | ESPN2 | Sean McDonough | Chris Spielman | Rob Stone |
| December 15, 2006 | ESPN2 | Dave Pasch | Rod Gilmore and Trevor Matich | Dave Ryan |
| December 16, 2005 | ESPN2 | Dave Pasch | Rod Gilmore and Trevor Matich | Stacey Dales-Schuman |
| December 17, 2004 | ESPN2 | Dave Pasch | Rod Gilmore and Trevor Matich | Rob Stone |
| December 19, 2003 | ESPN2 | Sean McDonough | Mike Golic and Rod Gilmore | Rob Stone |
| December 20, 2002 | ESPN2 | Ron Franklin | Mike Gottfried | Adrian Karsten |
| December 21, 2001 | ESPN | Ron Franklin | Mike Gottfried | |
| December 16, 2000 | ESPN | Rich Waltz | Rod Gilmore | Dave Ryan |
| December 18, 1999 | ESPN | Rich Waltz | Rod Gilmore | Don McPherson |
| December 19, 1998 | ESPN | Dave Barnett | Bill Curry | Dave Ryan |
| December 20, 1997 | ESPN | Dave Barnett | Bill Curry | |
| December 21, 1996 | ESPN | Brad Nessler | Gary Danielson | |
| December 16, 1995 | ESPN | Joel Meyers | Todd Christensen | Adrian Karsten |
| December 17, 1994 | CBS | Sean McDonough | Steve Davis | Dave Logan |
| December 18, 1993 | CBS | Sean McDonough | Dan Jiggetts | Jim Gray |
| December 19, 1992 | CBS | Jim Nantz | John Robinson | |
| December 21, 1991 | CBS | Brad Nessler | Dan Jiggetts | |
| December 15, 1990 | CBS | Jim Nantz | Tim Brant | John Dockery |
| December 16, 1989 | ESPN | Barry Tompkins | Stan White | |
| December 17, 1988 | ESPN | Tim Brando | Stan White | |
| December 19, 1987 | ESPN | Denny Schreiner | Stan White | |
| December 19, 1986 | ESPN | Tim Brando | Kevin Kiley | |
| December 21, 1985 | ESPN | Mike Patrick | Sam Adkins | |
| December 15, 1984 | Satellite Program Network | Bill Flemming | Steve Davis | |
| December 17, 1983 | ABC | Keith Jackson | Frank Broyles | |
| December 18, 1982 | CBS | Lindsey Nelson | Steve Davis | |
| December 19, 1981 | ABC | Bill Flemming | Frank Broyles | |
| December 20, 1980 | ABC | Bill Flemming | Frank Broyles | |
| December 15, 1979 | ABC | Bill Flemming | Frank Broyles | |
| December 16, 1978 | ABC | Bill Flemming | Frank Broyles | |