Inagural FCS Championship Generates $31.3M Economic Impact to Music City
Inagural FCS Championship Generates $31.3M Economic Impact to Music City
Over 24,000 fans from across the country flocked to Nashville for the Division I college football match-up
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 12, 2026) – The Nashville Sports Council and the NCAA today announced that the NCAA Division I FCS Championship for the 2025 season attracted 24,105 fans from across the country, the highest calculated attendance since 1995. According to data collected by the Nashville Sports Council in partnership with the Belmont University Department of Sport Administration, the matchup between the Montana State Bobcats and Illinois State Redbirds generated over $31.3 million in total economic impact for the city.
In early January, following the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl and New Year’s Eve Live, the championship drew a new wave of football fans to Nashville, with visitors from across the country filling hotels, restaurants and local attractions ahead of the game. This was the first FCS Championship outside Frisco, Texas, in over 15 years, further establishing Music City as a growing hub for college sports.
“The NCAA and the FCS committee were proud to bring the Division I Football Championship Game to Nashville for the first time,” said Ty Halpin, director of championships at the NCAA. “Nashville proved to be an outstanding host city, with the Nashville Sports Council, Ohio Valley Conference and Vanderbilt University working together to deliver a successful championship weekend. The city’s hospitality and local support created a tremendous environment for our teams and fans.”
Broadcast on ESPN with the first-ever live pre-game show from Vanderbilt University’s campus, the FCS Championship game at FirstBank Stadium ended with a 35-34 overtime victory for Montana State. The game averaged 2.3 million viewers on ESPN, making it the third-largest FCS championship audience ever, trailing only 2025 (2.4 million) and 2020 (2.7 million). The game peaked at 3 million viewers in overtime, where Montana State won on a fourth-down touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Lamson to wide receiver Taco Dowler, followed by the game-winning extra point. Lamson was named championship MVP as Montana State captured its first FCS national title since 1984 in the first overtime finish in FCS championship game history.
The first-ever official FCS Championship anthem, “Best of the FCS,” written and performed by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Casey Beathard, debuted at the game and on the ESPN broadcast. Known for his work with Kenny Chesney and Eric Church, Beathard embraced his rich history in the world of football when writing the song, having grown up under the guidance of his father, Bobby Beathard, the General Manager of the Washington Commanders and the San Diego Chargers.
“It is an honor to be a part of bringing the NCAA FCS Championship to a city that loves college football,” said Scott Ramsey, president and CEO of the Nashville Sports Council, Inc. “We are proud of the success of our first year hosting and look forward to continuing this partnership with the NCAA, the Ohio Valley Conference and Vanderbilt University. We hope that fans, both in Nashville and beyond, make the FCS Championship game a part of their annual plans.”
The NCAA, Nashville Sports Council, Ohio State Valley and Vanderbilt University are excited to host another college FCS Championship for the 2026-2027 season at FirstBank Stadium on Jan. 11, 2027.
# # #
Contact
Tiffany Buchen – REED, (201) 336-4479 or tiffany@reedpublicrelations.com
About the Nashville Sports Council
The Nashville Sports Council, Inc. is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization of area companies and individual sports enthusiasts. Created in 1992, the Nashville Sports Council’s mission is to positively impact the economy and quality of life of the Greater Nashville Area by attracting and promoting professional and amateur sporting events. The Nashville Sports Council has hosted hundreds of major sporting events that have produced more than $1.4 billion in direct economic impact for the region. For more information call 615-743-3120 or visit NashvilleSports.com. Follow the Nashville Sports Council on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About the NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a member-led group that puts college athletes first. Nearly 500,000 student-athletes compete on almost 20,000 teams. More than 57,000 participants take part each year in 90 championships across 24 sports, divided into three divisions. For more information about the NCAA and its championships, visit www.ncaa.org.
About the Ohio Valley Conference
The Ohio Valley Conference was founded in 1948, making it the eighth-oldest Division I athletic conference. The League competes in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Over the years, OVC teams have garnered national championships in football along with national team or individual titles in the sports of rifle, cross country, track and golf. In the 1950s the OVC became a pioneer when Morehead State became one of the first non-traditionally Black mid-southern institutions to accept an African American student. Soon after the passing of Title IX legislation, the OVC began formulating plans for women’s athletics, which began in 1977. The OVC sponsors 19 championship sports. The league consists of 11 member institutions in six states, including Eastern Illinois University, Lindenwood University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Morehead State University (charter member), Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Southern Indiana, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, the University of Tennessee at Martin and Western Illinois University. For more information, visit www.OVCSports.com.