NCAA changes transfer-portal rules for basketball, other sports

Field Level Media
15 Jan 2026, 11:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The NCAA's Division I cabinet on Wednesday announced several changes to transfer windows in multiple sports, most notably men's and women's basketball.

Before Wednesday, the transfer windows for men's and women's basketball opened following the second round of the respective NCAA Tournaments and extended for 30 days. Now, the windows are only open for 15 days but they do not open until the day after the national championship game for each sport.

The changes were first proposed by the oversight committees of the respective sports. Another proposal that was adopted brings basketball more in line with football when it comes to transfer rules regarding coaching changes.

When a coach exits, players will have 15 days to enter the transfer portal, but the window to the portal does not open until five days after the new coach is hired. If a new coach is not announced within 30 days of the coaching job becoming vacant and the regular transfer window is closed, a 15-day window will open on the 31st day for the players from that school.

Among the changes to other sports, the wrestling transfer window was cut from 45 days to 30 days. The window will open April 1, as opposed to the previous window opening after the Division I championships.

In men's ice hockey, the window opens the Monday after the Division I championship game and remains open for 15 days. The coaching-change rules now mirror those for basketball.

The transfer window for track and field that opened after the indoor season was removed altogether.

--Field Level Media

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