College Football Implements New Rules for 2026 Season

College football has updated its rulebook ahead of the 2026 season, with changes that may significantly affect gameplay this fall.

The targeting penalty has been revised to differentiate between dangerous hits and less severe infractions, aiming to reduce disqualifications. A player will no longer face a suspension for their first targeting foul, but a second offense will result in missing the first half of the next game, while a third will lead to disqualification from that game and the next. This adjustment follows concerns raised after a targeting call in a playoff game.

Additionally, the enforcement of offensive pass interference has been modified, reducing the penalty from 15 yards to 10 yards to better align with defensive penalties. The rules committee has also clarified unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, allowing for celebrations while penalizing taunting. Other changes include the introduction of a fair-catch kick option and stricter guidelines on player formations during punts to prevent deceptive plays.