In men's and women's soccer games when video review is used in the 2026-27 academic year, coaches can make two video challenges per game.
The Division I Men's Soccer Oversight Committee, Division I Women's Soccer Oversight Committee, and Division II and Division III Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved the rules changes.
Under the video review challenge rule, each coach can make a maximum of two challenges at any point in a game.
In the first 80 minutes of a game, officials can initiate video review only for clock issues and to see whether the ball crossed the goal line. In the final 10 minutes of regulation and overtime, officials can initiate video review on all allowable plays.
However, officials will not initiate video review in the last 10 minutes of regulation or overtime if a team still has challenges remaining.
The rationale for the rule change is to help the officials get the call right while maintaining the pace and flow of the game.
Goalkeepers releasing the ball
In another rule change, the time for goalkeepers to release the ball after gaining possession increases to eight seconds next season. Officials will make an accompanying visual signal for the final five seconds of the count.
If the goalkeeper doesn't release the ball within eight seconds, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick.
This change aligns the NCAA with international rules.
Previously, goalkeepers had six seconds to release the ball after gaining possession, and if the ball wasn't released, the opposing team received an indirect free kick.
Substitutions
Teams can now make substitutions any time the clock is stopped in Divisions II and III men's competition and all three women's divisions.
This is already allowed in Division I men's games.
Other rules changes
- For violent behavior red card ejections, the NCAA secretary-rules editor and a designated committee, rather than the referee on the field during the game, will determine acts of Violent Behavior II.
- Teams can have four 15-by-15-foot commercial logos on the field (two on each half) on the field of play outside the penalty areas if they do not obscure required markings.
- In Division I men's and women's games when video review is used, a video match official can assist the referee. The official can be at the game site or at a centralized location.
- In Division I men's and women's games, having a fourth official will be mandatory.
- All yellow cards given to the coaching staff will be charged to the head coach for accumulation purposes.
- For all three women's divisions and Division II and III men's regular-season games, a running clock will occur in the last 15 minutes if there is a five-goal margin. The clock will return to standard rules if the margin drops below five goals.
- If a player from each team is treated by medical personnel after a penalty kick is awarded, both players can remain in the game.
- Each red card ejection will carry its own penalty with no additional games missed for successive red cards.
- Devices for collecting data can be worn on the wrist or arm if properly padded and covered.
- If a game is delayed by weather, there should be a maximum three-hour wait from the scheduled start time until the all-clear is given to begin warmups. If a game has started, there can be a three-hour window from the point of the first interruption to the all-clear to resume play. Conferences will have oversight to extend these windows.
