November 21, 2025

2025 NJCAA DI Football Championship Returns to Bain-Schaeffer Stadium in Canyon, TX

Charlotte, NC – The 2025 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I Football Championship Presented by Zurich American Insurance Company will air on ESPNU at 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The championship will be held in Canyon, Texas at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium on the campus of West Texas A&M University. The state-of-the-art stadium opened in 2019 and has been regarded as one of the best stadiums in NCAA Division II football.

"I am pleased to welcome back the 2025 NJCAA Division I Football National Championships to the nationally acclaimed Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium on the WT campus," said Walter V. Wendler, President of West Texas A&M University. "WT's partnership with the Amarillo Convention & Visitors Bureau and Canyon Chamber of Commerce to bring this championship game to the Texas Panhandle is a significant economic impact for both cities and a benefit for communities across the region. WT is committed, through the long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World, to elevating our region every way possible."

The Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium seats 8,500 with an estimated total capacity of 12,000 when including overflow berm seating and standing-room-only space at the concourse level. The stadium features a video scoreboard structure, a ribbon board system, and a concourse that provides full circulation for patrons around the stadium. Along with great features around the stadium, the field itself is a Hellas Cushdrain field which helps reduce the impact on the head during tackles creating a safer game.

"The NJCAA is excited to return to Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium for the 2025 NJCAA DI Football Championship in Canyon, TX," stated Dr Brett Monaghan, Vice President – Championships, Membership, and Sports Governance. "West Texas A&M has an incredible facility with top of the line features that continue to play an integral role in the championship experience for NJCAA student-athletes, coaches, and fans."

The championship matchup will be televised nationally by ESPNU, making the game's eight consecutive primetime airing and the fourth on ESPN. This year's teams have not been determined but if it's as exciting as last year's 28 -23 final with Hutchinson (KS) defeating Iowa Western you should get your tickets early.

The 2025 NJCAA Division I Football Playoff Field is set with Semifinals taking place at on-campus locations. No. 1 Hutchison (KS) will host N0. 4 Northwest Mississippi on Saturday, December 6th at 6:00pm CT on ESPN+ while No. 2 Iowa Western will host No. 3 Tyler (TX) on Friday, December 5th at 6:00pm CT on ESPN+ to see who earns a spot in Canyon, TX.

Tickets for the 2025 NJCAA DI Football Championship can be purchased by visiting here.

Media Day

The 2025 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I Football Championship Presented by Zurich American Insurance Company will include a Media Day Press Conference scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium on the campus of West Texas A&M University. The schedule of team coaches and players will be released once teams are determined.

2025 Practice schedule

TBD

For all national championship updates, visit: 2025 NJCAA Division I Football Championship

Media Requests & Policies

The NJCAA prides itself on being accessible and accommodating to members of the media when/where appropriate. Please be aware that the NJCAA National Office is under the direction of the Public Comment Policy described below.

NJCAA Championship Media Credential Requests

To request a media credential to attend an NJCAA national championship, please submit: NJCAA Championship Media Credential Request Form

Note: Media credentials may only be granted to members of a media news source or publication. Requests must be submitted by the media agency's sports editor or news director. The sports editor or news director is the "Requestor". Completing the form is a request only and does not confirm that a media credential will be received. The NJCAA National Office or the Championship Host will follow up directly regarding the status of the credential request and next steps.

Eligible Media: Subject to limitations of space, credentials may be issued to working members of the media representing recognized outlets in the business of news gathering as their primary source of revenue. This includes a daily or weekly publication, cable system, radio station, television station or television network, or online entity requiring immediate news coverage. Immediate news coverage for purposes of these criteria shall mean that the editorial, audio and/or visual deadline for the championship action being documented occurs not later than 48 hours after the competition at the site has been completed.

Representatives of national media outlets
- Reporters from a weekly or monthly national publication that covers collegiate athletics extensively.
- Reporters, photographers, and couriers from national publications, online entities, broadcast networks, and wire services that covers the collegiate sport consistently on a national basis.
- An individual or crew designated by a national television network or cable system that originates daily sports news programs.
- The designated representative of a national television, cable system, radio network, or a radio station that originates a daily "sports talk" program.
- An online entity that covers the respective sport at the collegiate level on a consistent basis with exclusive content.
- Full-time reporters representing international agencies that regularly cover the sport.
Media agencies in the geographic area and/or locale of a participating institution that has staffed its contests on a consistent basis throughout the season.
- Online writers, daily print reporters, and photographers from the local host and participating team markets who regularly cover collegiate athletics (i.e. cover the vast majority of a participating or host institution's home games).
- Individuals, certified by a participating institution, who will represent specific campus-related entities (e.g., student newspapers, television stations and radio stations) that are affiliated with a participating or host institution.
- An individual or television crew, certified by a participating institution, who will represent campus-related entities.
- Team content providers, including team photographers and team videographers.
- Participating team radio networks.

Championship media credentials WILL NOT be issued to spouses, guests, or children of media members; representatives of syndicated television or cable programmers who are not producing programs for immediate news coverage (i.e., to air within 48 hours); podcasts which do not fall under credential policies and guidelines listed above; agents; scouts and other representatives of professional organizations; and publications devoted solely to gambling.

Freelance reporters or photographers will not be credentialed unless they are working under a specific assignment. Credential applications must be submitted by the sports editor, sports director/producer, photo editor or participating institution representative.

Having been credentialed for previous NJCAA championships or other events DOES NOT automatically qualify an agency or individual for credentials.

NJCAA Championship Broadcasting Policies

All broadcasting rights (radio, TV, Internet streaming) of NJCAA Championship Events are exclusive to the NJCAA and the NJCAA will have final authority over all broadcasts. The NJCAA reserves the right to broadcast any of its championship events on its official digital network – NJCAA Network (njcaa.org/network) or any other third party.

Any rebroadcast, retransmission, or other use of NJCAA Network broadcasts without the written consent of the National Junior College Athletic Association is prohibited.

Radio Policy - All radio broadcasting requests will be evaluated by the NJCAA National Office in conjunction with the championship host. No visual elements are permitted to be included in any approved radio broadcasts. This includes but is not limited to score bugs, game clocks, shot clocks, on-base graphics, live in-venue video, team photos, etc. Radio entities may include sponsor images on Internet radio broadcasts if applicable. Any entities found to be in violation of the NJCAA's radio policy will be asked to cease the violating activity immediately and may be subject to fines or further legal action if entities do not comply.

Public Comment Policy

The NJCAA National Office will not comment, or release details of any investigation related to violation(s) of Association bylaws involving a student-athlete or member college.

Interview Requests and Media Inquiries

To schedule an interview with NJCAA President & CEO Dr. Christopher Parker or an NJCAA employee or for inquiring regarding the NJCAA, governing structure, and national championships, please contact:

media@njcaa.org | 719-590-9788

Media Inquiries, Sports Information

For inquiries regarding sports information, statistics, national polls, record books, and research requests please contact:

media@njcaa.org | 719-590-9788