College Football Playoff nearing future 24-team format
October 15, 2026
The College Football Playoff is set to undergo a major expansion, doubling its field from 12 to 24 teams starting with the 2027 season. According to reports, the governing body is finalizing a deal with ESPN to broadcast the additional games through 2031, marking a significant shift in how postseason access is structured.
The move aligns with long-standing expectations, as conference leaders like SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have publicly signaled openness to growth, anticipating a decision in recent weeks. Under the new format, more teams from the Power Four conferences will likely qualify, potentially altering the postseason landscape by eliminating some conference championship games or restructuring the schedule to begin the playoff immediately after the regular season concludes.
Early rounds could also shift to home venues for higher-seeded teams before neutral-site games take over in later stages. For now, the 2026 playoff will retain its current 12-team structure, maintaining the existing format for one final season.
Cleveland Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
England
Florida Panthers
Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Buffalo Sabres
Tampa Bay Lightning
Seattle Kraken
Ottawa Senators
New York Islanders
New Jersey Devils
New York Rangers
New York Knicks
Toronto Raptors
Detroit Red Wings
Philadelphia Flyers
Nashville Predators
San Jose Sharks
