NCAA Considers Streamlined Age-Based Eligibility Rules

Proposed changes would give athletes 5 years of eligibility starting at age 19 or high school graduation.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented college basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, crimson, and gold colors overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract scene.The NCAA's proposed age-based eligibility rules aim to simplify a complex system that has faced numerous legal challenges from student-athletes.Indianapolis Today

An NCAA panel is scheduled to discuss potential changes to eligibility rules that would incorporate age into the process, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. The proposal, which mirrors language written into an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, would give athletes five years of eligibility with the clock starting at the earliest of when they turn 19 or graduate high school.

Why it matters

The proposed changes aim to simplify the NCAA's eligibility process, which has faced numerous lawsuits from players seeking extra years of eligibility due to injuries and other circumstances. The NCAA is also seeking a limited antitrust exemption from Congress to prevent these types of lawsuits.

The details

Under the proposal, there would be limited exceptions to the five-year eligibility rule, but they would not involve injuries, which has been a common reason for players to ask for extra eligibility in the past. The NCAA Division I Cabinet is scheduled to review and discuss the proposal next week, but not vote on it for immediate implementation.

  • The NCAA panel is scheduled to discuss the potential eligibility rule changes next week.
  • President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week that included language mirroring the proposed NCAA eligibility changes.

The players

Charlie Baker

NCAA President, who said Trump wanted to find a way to simplify the eligibility process.

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What they’re saying

“Trump wanted to figure out a way to 'get something on the books that works and represents what most people are looking for at this point, which is a much simpler eligibility process, which we've been talking to our committees about'.”

— Charlie Baker, NCAA President

What’s next

The NCAA Division I Cabinet is scheduled to review and discuss the proposed eligibility rule changes next week, but will not vote on them for immediate implementation.

The takeaway

The NCAA's proposed eligibility rule changes aim to streamline the process and limit lawsuits, but will need to balance simplicity with fairness for student-athletes as the organization seeks a legislative solution to its eligibility challenges.