The short version
- The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams starting in the 2027-28 season, doubling its current size.
- Conference title games for the Power Four leagues will be eliminated, replaced by a format with five automatic qualifiers and 19 at-large selections.
- ESPN has agreed to a new media rights deal worth an additional $1.7 billion over five years to televise the expanded playoff.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) will double in size to 24 teams beginning with the 2027-28 season, a structural change that eliminates conference title games for the Power Four leagues. College leaders announced the new format on Monday, marking the end of a three-decade era where these championship matches were among the marquee events of the football calendar. The expansion aims to include more programs and fanbases across the country.
Under the new structure, five teams will receive automatic qualification: the champions of the Power Four leagues (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC) and the best-ranked team from the smaller Group of Six conferences. The remaining 19 spots will be chosen by a selection panel. Notably, Notre Dame does not receive any guarantees in this format, unlike its current status where it is assured a spot if ranked in the top 12.
The top eight seeds in the expanded bracket will receive first-round byes. The playoff will commence on the second weekend in December, with the first two rounds of games played on campus. This schedule adjustment means the traditional Army-Navy game will be played on the first weekend in December, a slot previously reserved for conference title games.
ESPN has agreed to rework its media rights contract to accommodate the 11 new games. The network signed a deal for five years with an additional $1.7 billion in value, on top of its existing $7.8 billion contract running through the 2031 season. While specific terms were not fully disclosed, the revenue from the new games is expected to offset the estimated $345 million previously generated by Power Four conference title games.
Conference leaders, including the SEC and Big Ten, support the expansion, banking on the likelihood that most additional spots will go to their members. This structure provides second-tier teams with new motivation to continue significant financial investments in football programs, an era characterized by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and rosters valued at $50 million or more.
Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State and chair of the CFP board, praised the decision. He stated that opening the playoff to more student-athletes and fanbases is beneficial for college football. The expansion represents a major shift in how the postseason is structured, moving away from exclusive championship games toward a broader tournament model.
The elimination of conference title games has drawn mixed reactions. Some critics argue that the new format diminishes the significance of bowl season traditions. However, proponents believe the expanded access justifies the changes. The financial implications are substantial, with ESPN absorbing some costs related to the cancellation of title games while gaining rights to a larger number of playoff matches.
The selection process will rely heavily on the panel’s judgment for the 19 at-large bids. This introduces new variables in how teams are evaluated compared to previous years. The top eight seeds receiving byes ensures that the highest-ranked teams have an advantage, but the path to the championship will be longer and more complex for all participants.
As the 2027-28 season approaches, teams and conferences must adapt to this new landscape. The removal of conference championships alters the regular-season incentives and the narrative arc of the college football year. The expanded playoff promises greater inclusion but also raises questions about the dilution of prestige associated with reaching the postseason.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗College Football Playoff will double in size to 24 teams starting next year
- College Football Playoff↗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 2021-32 Season
- Yahoo Sports↗College Football Playoff’s new 24-team format ruins bowl season forever
- The New York Times↗CFP closing in on expansion to 24 teams in 2027 in deal worth extra $300M per year - The Athletic
