FCS playoffs set attendance record

Indianapolis, IN – The Football Championship Subdivision playoffs has set a record for fan attendance prior to the championship game.

All 20,086 seat tickets for the NCAA Division I Football Championship between Sam Houston State and North Dakota State on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas, have been sold or allocated to the participating institutions, which means the 20-team, 19-game playoffs will exceed 250,000 attendees.

The previous total attendance record of 209,761 was set in 1994, when 16 teams participated in the playoffs.

"Along with the record attendance throughout the national semifinals, we've seen incredible competition that is the trademark of FCS football," NCAA President Mark Emmert said. "These teams - and the fans who root for them - are sure to enjoy one of the best FCS championship games ever. I share the excitement of every school, student-athlete and fan that has taken part in this tournament, and I personally look forward to being in the stands on Jan. 7."

Extra seats will be made available to the general public for the sold-out championship game at Pizza Hut Park because the bands and cheerleading teams of both schools will be placed in temporary bleachers.

Tickets returned by the schools, along with a limited amount of standing-room- only tickets, will be sold to the public starting Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. ET on www.NCAA.com/fcs.