December 18, 2024 – Nashville is a championship-level city, on and off the field. And its appeal for hosting a major sports championship on the field — welcoming thousands of fans to spend time at the game and around the city — is on display once again.
The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) announced last week that Nashville will be the host site for the FCS National Championships in 2026 and 2027, with the games to be played at FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University . The games will be co-hosted by the Nashville Sports Council and the Ohio Valley Conference, a member of the FCS that is based in Brentwood, just south of Nashville.
“On behalf of the committee, we are very excited to bring FCS football to Nashville, ”North Dakota State University athletics director and Division I Football Championship Committee chair Matt Larsen said.
“We considered a number of finalists, but Nashville set themselves apart,” Larsen added. “The opportunity to continue to grow the game and our brand in a setting like this is something we know the FCS community as a whole will be excited about.”
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, has hosted the championship game since 2010, but recently announced a multi-year renovation project, necessitating an alternate site for the next two years.
“On behalf of the Nashville Sports Council Board of Directors and the 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 said. “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,” Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth Debauche said.
According to Vanderbilt officials, the school’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 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,” Vanderbilt Athletic Director and Vice Chancellor for University Affairs and Athletics Candice Storey Lee, Ed.D. said. “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.”
“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.”
The Nashville Stars echo the enthusiasm and are likewise excited to welcome the FCS, its teams and its fans to Music City.