College Football Playoff to Expand to 24 Teams Starting in 2027
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is set to expand to a 24-team format beginning with the 2027 season. This change follows a new media rights agreement with ESPN. The expanded playoff will feature automatic bids for Power Four conference champions,…
Duluth Superior, MN, November 9, 2026 — The College Football Playoff (CFP) is preparing for a significant expansion, transitioning to a 24-team format. This new structure is slated to begin with the 2027 season.
The decision to expand the playoff field follows the finalization of a new media rights agreement with ESPN. This partnership ensures the broadcast of the expanded tournament.
Under the proposed 24-team format, automatic bids will be extended to the champions of the Power Four conferences. In addition to these automatic qualifiers, several at-large selections will also be included, allowing for teams not winning their conference championship to still be considered for the playoff.
A notable change in the playoff format will be the location of the initial games. The first two rounds of the expanded CFP will be played on college campuses, a shift from previous neutral-site arrangements for early-round games. This modification is expected to enhance the experience for participating teams and their home fan bases.
The exact number of at-large bids and further details regarding the selection process are expected to be clarified as the 2027 season approaches. The expansion marks a substantial increase from the previous 12-team format and aims to provide more opportunities for teams across the collegiate football landscape.
Story summarized from the original created by Field Level Media on www.duluthnewstribune.com, see more information here.
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