Sports · American Football · 6 hrs ago
College Football Playoff reportedly set to expand to 24 teams in 2027
College football’s playoff is reportedly set to double to 24 teams for the 2027 season, up from its current 12-team format.
The reported plan involves the Power Four conferences: the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12.
The expanded field would add one round of games, with more teams receiving first-round byes.
Reports say the Group of Six conferences would still have at least one place, while each Power Four champion would receive an automatic bid.
The first two rounds are expected to be played on campus, with later games at neutral sites, but full details have not been confirmed.
Supporters see a chance to bring in more media revenue, while critics warn that more playoff places could reduce the importance of regular-season games and conference rivalries.
An announcement is reportedly expected soon, though the final format has yet to be made public.
The College Football Playoff is reportedly nearing an agreement to expand from 12 teams to 24 for the 2027 season.
The Athletic reported that the deal was 95 percent complete and would allow ESPN to remain the playoff’s exclusive broadcaster.
The proposed format is reported to include 19 at-large places, automatic bids for the Power Four conference champions and at least one Group of Six team.
The first two rounds would likely be played on campus, with later rounds at neutral sites, according to sources cited by the Daily Mail.
Critics warn that expansion could weaken the regular season and reduce the importance of conference championship games.
- Who
- The College Football Playoff’s conference officials are reportedly working toward an expansion agreement.
- What
- The playoff is set to grow from 12 to 24 teams. The deal is reported to keep ESPN as its exclusive broadcaster.
- When
- The expanded format is expected for the 2027 season.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The expansion is expected to bring in more media revenue, though critics say it could diminish the regular season.
College Football Playoff expansion supporters
Critics of the expansion
Revenue
College Football Playoff expansion supporters
Supporters see the larger playoff as a way to raise media revenue.
Critics of the expansion
Critics question whether the added revenue will offset lost conference championship game rights fees.
Regular season
College Football Playoff expansion supporters
The sources do not give supporters’ views on the effect on the regular season.
Critics of the expansion
Critics say expansion could diminish regular-season stakes and weaken rivalries.
Power Four conference commissioners failed to agree on a 16- or 24-team playoff for the 2026 season, and talks were abandoned.
Reports said conference officials were nearing an agreement to expand the playoff to 24 teams for the 2027 season.
- Current playoff field
- 12 teams
- Proposed playoff field
- 24 teams
- Expected start
- 2027 season
- Reported at-large places
- 19
- Reported additional annual cost to ESPN
- $300 million
7 sources
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What people are saying
You tell advertisers that if you want to be in our Playoff inventory, you have to take some of the regular season and you sell it as a package
The people who run college football conferences don't get the regular season *is* the sport and rivalries are more important than the tv markets
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Sources: The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, per sources. The new format will start in 2027 and is expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals.