The NCAA Division I Cabinet has unanimously approved a change to a five-year eligibility model, which replaces the previous rule that allowed for four seasons of competition.

NCAA 第一組內閣一致通過將資格改為五年制模型，取代先前允許參賽四個賽季的規則。

The new 'age-based eligibility model' requires a five-year window for competition. This window begins when an athlete first enrolls full-time in college or at the start of the academic year after they turn 19, whichever happens first. Consequently, this change removes the use of 'redshirt' years and hardship waivers, except for specific cases such as military service, maternity leave, or religious missions. The NCAA emphasized that this move aims to align athletic eligibility with typical student graduation patterns and reduce the administrative problems caused by the transfer portal.

新的「年齡限制資格模型」要求參賽時間窗口為五年。此窗口自運動員首次全職就讀大學，或在滿 19 歲後之學年開始，以 whichever 較早者為準。因此，除軍務、產假或宗教使命等特定情況外，此項變更將取消「紅衫球（redshirt）」年分及困難豁免權。NCAA 強調，此舉旨在將運動資格與一般的學生畢業模式對齊，並減少轉校門戶（transfer portal）造成的行政問題。

How this rule is applied depends on the athlete's current status. Students starting in the 2027-28 academic year must follow the new model. However, athletes already enrolled who still have eligibility after the 2025-26 year, as well as new freshmen, can choose between the new model and the old rules. It is important to note that the policy is not retroactive; therefore, athletes who finished their fourth season in 2026 cannot get an extra year. For example, some Mississippi State University athletes may now extend their careers, while others remain ineligible.

此規則如何應用取決於運動員目前的狀態。2027-28 學年入學的學生必須遵循新模型。然而，已就讀且在 2025-26 年後仍保有資格的運動員，以及新入學的大一新生，可以在新模型與舊規則之間選擇。重要的是，此政策不溯及既往；因此，在 2026 年完成第四個賽季的運動員無法獲得額外一年。例如，部分密西西比州立大學的運動員現在可能延長其職業生涯，而其他人則仍無資格。

There are also significant legal and strategic concerns. Legal experts have asserted that the rule could face challenges because it limits how long an athlete can compete in the collegiate system. Furthermore, coaches in sports like gymnastics and volleyball must rethink their strategies, as having more fifth-year seniors might conflict with the roster limits set by the House settlement.

此外還存在重大的法律與策略考量。法律專家主張，該規則可能會面臨挑戰，因為它限制了運動員在大學體系中可參賽的時間。此外，體操與排球等項目的教練必須重新思考策略，因為擁有更多第五年大四學生的情況，可能會與 House 和解協議所設定的名單人數限制相衝突。

The NCAA has created a standard five-year eligibility clock to replace the redshirt system, although the policy may face legal battles from athletes who have already used their eligibility.

NCAA 建立了一個標準的五年資格時鐘來取代紅衫球制度，儘管該政策可能會面臨已使用完資格的運動員所發起的法律挑戰。