Football teams from the New England Small College Athletic Conference will now be eligible for the NCAA Division III playoffs, starting in 2026, after conference presidents approved a proposal Friday made by the league’s athletic directors.

The conference’s 10 football teams — including Bates, Bowdoin and Colby — will continue to play a nine-game regular-season schedule. The conference champion will receive an automatic playoff berth.

Join the Conversation

Please sign into your CentralMaine.com account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.