KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced that the 2026 NAIA Football National Championship Game will return to Crowley ISD Multipurpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, marking the second consecutive year the championship will be played at the venue.
The 2026 NAIA Football National Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, and will serve as the culmination of the NAIA Football Championship Series, which begins Saturday, Nov. 21.
“Strong partnerships are the foundation of exceptional championship experiences, and Crowley ISD has demonstrated its commitment to the NAIA and our members,” said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. “We’re proud to continue hosting the NAIA Football Championship Game in a venue that provides unforgettable moments for our membership while celebrating everything that makes the NAIA experience unique.”
Crowley ISD Multipurpose Stadium features seating for 8,000 spectators, artificial turf, ample locker room facilities, event space, and full press facilities, and the stadium hosted the NAIA Football Championship Game for the first time in 2025.
“Crowley ISD has been an outstanding partner and has played an important role in creating an environment that reflects the values of the NAIA,” said Austin Bennett, NAIA Vice President of Championships. “The venue and the Metroplex as a whole create the kind of atmosphere where championship moments are made—not only for our student-athletes, but also for coaches, administrators, and fans. We’re excited to continue building on this partnership in Fort Worth.”
The 2025 championship saw Grand View (Iowa) complete its second consecutive undefeated season with a 22-16 victory over Keiser (Fla.) in the 70th edition of the NAIA Football National Championship Game, which dates back to 1956. Led by NAIA Player of the Year Jackson Waring, the Vikings captured their second straight Red Banner on Dec. 20, 2025.
The 2026 championship will mark the ninth time the NAIA Football National Championship Game has been played in the state of Texas and the second in Fort Worth.
The game will air on the NAIA family of broadcast networks at www.naia.org/watch.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small college athletics programs dedicated to character-driven, education-based athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has balanced high-level competition with holistic student-athlete development through its commitment to The Right Way to Play®. Each year more than 87,000 NAIA student-athletes compete in college athletics, earn over $1.3 billion in financial aid, and pursue opportunities to participate in 30 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA | #TheRightWayToPlay
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