IRVING, TEXAS, November 10, 2026 — The College Football Playoff (CFP) Management Committee has unanimously approved the expansion of the playoff to 24 teams, starting with the 2027-28 college football season. This decision comes with a new media rights agreement with ESPN, worth $1.7 billion per year, to televise the new CFP games through the 2031-32 season.
Expansion Details
The 24-team CFP field will consist of the four Power 4 conference champions, the highest-ranked Group of 6 team, and 19 at-large bids. The top eight seeds will receive a first-round bye, while the first two rounds, comprising 16 games, will be played on the campus of the higher seed. This expanded format will feature 16 on-campus Playoff games, bringing the playoff to more students and local fans. The CFP quarterfinals and semifinals will continue to be played at the six CFP bowl partner locations.
Media Rights Agreement
The new media rights agreement with ESPN is a five-year deal, running through the 2031-32 season. ESPN will be the exclusive broadcast home of the tournament, presenting all 23 games of the new format. The network will also retain rights to the CFP Selection Show and the weekly CFP rankings show. Additionally, ESPN’s existing sublicense deal with TNT Sports will remain in place, and the network may sublicense up to half of the new inventory.
Reaction and Impact
The expansion has been met with mixed reactions, with some critics concerned that it may cheapen the regular season. Dr. Mark Keenum, chairman of the CFP Board of Managers, stated that the decision to expand was driven by a desire to increase opportunities for FBS programs, student-athletes, and fan bases to participate in the playoff. The new format is expected to have a significant impact on the regular season, with scheduling standards adopted to encourage more compelling non-conference matchups.
Scheduling and Next Steps
The first round of the playoff is likely to begin the second weekend of December, with the second weekend featuring eight second-round games. The CFP will need to finalize scheduling details to minimize conflicts with the NFL. The expanded playoff is set to start in the 2027-28 season, with the current 12-team format running through the end of the 2026 season. As the college football landscape continues to evolve, the 24-team playoff format is expected to bring significant changes to the sport. The 2027-28 regular season is set to open during the week before Labor Day.
Sources
- CFP to Expand to 24 Teams Starting with the 2027-28 College Football Season; Announces Exclusive Media Rights Agreement with ESPN to Televise New CFP Games through the 2031-32 Season – College Football Playoff
- Media Links and Videos for Monday – Naval Academy Athletics
- College Football Playoff to expand to 24 teams, eliminate conference championship games
- ESPN, College Football Playoff officially announce expansion to 24 teams
- College Football Playoff expansion, explained: How a 24-team format will work starting in 2027 | Sporting News
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri (CC BY 3.0)
