College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams starting in 2027

The College Football Playoff will grow from 12 teams to 24 teams beginning next season, college leaders announced Monday. The change ends a three-decade era in which conference title games were among the season's marquee events.

The new format includes five automatic qualifiers: the champions of the Power Four leagues and the highest-ranked team from the Group of Six conferences. A selection panel will choose the other 19 teams, and Notre Dame receives no automatic guarantee.

“Opening the playoff to more programs, more student-athletes and more fan bases across the country is great for college football.”

The top eight seeds will receive first-round byes, and the playoff will open on the second weekend in December. The first two rounds will be played on campus sites, while the traditional Army-Navy game moves to the first weekend in December.

ESPN agreed to rework its contract to add 11 new games under a five-year deal worth an additional $1.7 billion, on top of the existing $7.8 billion contract running through the 2031 season. The new games are expected to offset the estimated $345 million value of the Power Four conference title games.

Mississippi State President Mark Keenum, chair of the CFP board, said opening the playoff to more programs, student-athletes and fan bases is great for college football. The first final of the 24-team playoff is set for January 24, 2028, in New Orleans.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called the expansion a short-sighted move that might bolster near-term profits but erode what makes college football special. Congressman Chip Roy and many fans also criticized the decision, arguing it devalues regular-season games and makes the sport too much like the NFL.