McFeely: Nashville bids to host FCS title game, at least temporarily
FARGO — With Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, set to undergo significant renovations lasting a couple of years, the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title game may soon be relocating, at least temporarily.
The Tennessean reported that Nashville has submitted a bid to host the FCS title games following the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The proposal includes holding the event at Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium, which has a seating capacity of around 30,000.
A source confirmed that four other cities have also expressed interest in hosting the title game in January 2026 and January 2027.
Frisco, located in a northern suburb of Dallas, has been the home of the FCS championship game since 2011. The city’s rapid growth has made it synonymous with the event, bolstered by the influx of North Dakota State fans each January as the Bison forged an FCS dynasty starting in 2011.
“Getting to Frisco” became a significant aspiration for top FCS teams. The staff at the Fargodome notably popularized the country music song “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas,” which has since become the anthem for teams qualifying for the championship.
One remarkable moment in NDSU’s history is the fourth-down touchdown by quarterback Brock Jensen during the 2012 semifinals at the dome, famously known as “Fourth and Frisco.”
However, with Toyota Stadium scheduled for a $182 million renovation soon after this year’s FCS title game, bids for the 2026 and 2027 games were opened. The renovation will involve alternating closures of each side of the stadium for a year, including a complete teardown of the pressbox side, which will significantly reduce seating capacity.
FCS title games in Frisco have consistently attracted audiences of approximately 20,000, except during the COVID spring season in 2021. The renovations are expected to be completed by early 2028, allowing the FCS game to return to Frisco.
Nashville appears to be an appealing alternative. Vanderbilt’s stadium has undergone recent improvements, enhancing premium seating areas in both end zones, and features an artificial turf field—a notable upgrade compared to the variable grass surface at Toyota Stadium.
“The new renovations at FirstBank will obviously be complete for next year and I think we’ve got a really good shot at filling it,” a Nashville official mentioned. “The FCS has been selling out in Frisco, except for COVID, for the last 13 years in a row. The new total capacity at FirstBank will be somewhere in the low 30,000s, including the new club seats and south end zone. We believe it’s the right size to hopefully increase attendance and provide a fresh destination for fans.”
While the mild winter weather might be mostly alike—highs in the 50s-60s with occasional rain—Nashville presents itself as an attractive location. The areas surrounding the stadium, including Music Row and Hillsboro Village, are within walking distance from campus, with numerous bars and restaurants bustling on Vanderbilt game days.
The renowned Broadway area of Nashville, known for being a top tourist and party hotspot, is just a couple of miles away.
Sources indicate that the potential move of the game from Frisco for a couple of years does not rule out its return. The NCAA maintains a strong relationship with the city, which has expressed its desire to continue hosting the event. The success of Frisco as a venue cannot be questioned.
When renovations at Toyota Stadium are complete, the venue is expected to be outstanding.
Though Nashville has made a bid for the FCS title game, the outcome is not guaranteed, as other cities have also submitted proposals. Nashville officials have indicated plans to travel to Frisco in January to observe the event and assess what is required to host.
Further details about the future of the FCS title game may emerge during this year’s championship weekend in early January.
