The 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I-AA level, began in August 1986, and concluded with the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game on December 19, 1986, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The Georgia Southern Eagles won their second consecutive I-AA championship, defeating the Arkansas State Indians by a score of 48–21.

Conference changes and new programs

Conference standings

Conference champions

Postseason

The playoffs expanded from twelve to sixteen teams this season, eliminating the bye for the top four seeds. The I-AA playoff field remained at sixteen through the 2009 season, expanding to twenty in 2010 and 24 in 2013.

NCAA Division I-AA playoff bracket

The top four teams were seeded, with remaining teams placed in the bracket based on geographical considerations.

• Denotes host institution