College football is amateur gridiron football played by student-athletes at universities and colleges, instrumental in the sport's rise to popularity in the United States. Governed primarily by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the U.S. and U Sports in Canada, it serves as the second tier of North American football, often surpassing professional leagues in popularity in regions like the American South and Midwest.
This collegiate level is the primary feeder system for professional leagues like the NFL and CFL, though only about 1.6% of NCAA players ultimately secure a professional contract. Historically, players received non-monetary compensation like scholarships, but recent NCAA bylaws now permit "Name, Image, and Likeness" (NIL) deals, allowing athletes to earn money from endorsements. Despite its amateur status, college football boasts immense financial draw, with Division I programs playing in massive stadiums, some seating over 100,000 fans.