The regular season and postseason were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Of the 127 programs in FCS for this season, 101 played at least one game in either the fall of 2020 or the spring of 2021.

In late September 2020, the NCAA announced that the FCS postseason would take place in April and May 2021.

The first round of the playoffs was scheduled for April 24, with the Championship Game in mid-May,[3] later set for May 16.

[10] * Host institution Saturday, August 29 – FCS Kickoff (Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama): Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17.