Roster spots

Roster Limits & the Eligibility Clock

What the House settlement roster limits and the age-based clock mean for lacrosse recruits. Rules checked Oct 26, 2026. Rules change, so confirm details on the linked sources and with each school's compliance office. This is general guidance, not legal or eligibility advice.

D1 roster limits

Starting in 2025-26, D1 schools that opted into the House settlement have a 48-player roster limit in men's lacrosse and 38 in women's, and may give aid to any or all of them.
Designated student-athletes (already on rosters or promised spots before the cutoff) don't count, so some rosters run above the limit for a few years.
Schools that didn't opt in can give up to the 2024-25 aid limits; their roster size is set by the conference or school. A roster cap can mean fewer walk-on spots.

The age-based clock

D1 (adopted June 2026) and D2 (Aug. 2026): up to five years, starting at the earlier of first full-time college enrollment or the start of the academic year after your 19th birthday.
It applies to first full-time enrollment in fall 2027 or later; 2026-27 enrollees get whichever rule is better for them.
Division III has not adopted it; a proposal is on the 2027 NCAA Convention agenda.

Why it matters in lacrosse

Post-grad (prep) years are common in lacrosse. A prep year after your 19th birthday can use up part of your five years. Run the dates before you decide.

Sources (checked Oct 26, 2026)

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