A Colorado district court judge has dealt a significant setback to the NCAA’s recently introduced five-and-five eligibility rule, which was intended to limit athletes to five years of competition within five calendar years. The ruling could affect college sports this year by allowing more athletes to challenge eligibility restrictions, adding uncertainty for teams, transfers and roster planning.

The decision stems from a 2022 class-action case and comes after several recent lawsuits involving athletes seeking additional playing time. The NCAA had implemented the new rule earlier in the month, but the court’s intervention undermines its immediate application and may force the organisation to reconsider how it applies eligibility limits.