How much money would OU football get from CFP appearance? Playoff revenue sharing explained
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Selection Sunday is here, and OU football has a real chance of not only securing a spot in the College Football Playoff but also hosting a first-round game at Gaylord Family—Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
If the final bracket was based on this week's committee rankings, the No. 8 Sooners would be hosting the No. 9 Alabama, but Alabama lost to Georgia in the SEC title game, putting its CFP hopes in limbo.
Here's what to know about a possible CFP appearance for OU and its history in the tournament:
How much money would OU get from the CFP?
The revenue distribution from the College Football Playoff varies depending on how far a team makes it in the tournament — and the money doesn't go to the program.
According to the CFP's revenue distribution release, in the 2025-26 academic year, each conference will receive $300,000 for each of its schools when the school’s football team meets the NCAA’s APR for participation in a postseason football game, and independent institutions receive a matching amount.
Teams don't make extra money for making the CFP; instead, their conferences do. If OU makes the playoff, the Southeastern Conference will receive $4 million, as well as the same amount for all the other SEC teams that make it. The conference also receives $4 million for each team that makes it to the quarterfinals.
For each team that makes the semifinals and/or the championship game, the conference receives $6 million.
Each conference whose team participates in the College Football Playoff receives $3 million to cover expenses for each round.
Which bowls host the CFP?
If OU is to host a College Football Playoff game, it would be a first-round matchup, the only round played on campus locations.
The quarterfinals and the semifinals are played in pre-determined bowl games, and rotate between the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida, Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California, the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas, Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix and Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The Fiesta Bowl and the Peach Bowl will host the two semifinals this season, with the championship game set to be played in Miami on Jan. 19.
When is Selection Day?
Selection Day will take place on Sunday, Dec. 7. The official 2025-26 CFP bracket will be revealed in addition to the full final top 25 rankings.
There will be no reseeding after the Selection Day.
What's OU's history in the rankings?
There have been 70 selection committee rankings since its inaugural season in 2014-2015, and OU has made an appearance 56 times. Only five schools — Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Notre Dame and Georgia — have more.
The Sooners' highest ranking was No. 2 in 2017.
Since this year's first ranking on Nov. 4, OU has climbed four spots, from No. 12 to No. 8. The Sooners were not ranked at any point last year.
What's OU's record in the CFP?
In its four appearances in the four-team College Football Playoff, OU has yet to win a game, making its record 0-4.
- 2015-16 Orange Bowl vs. Clemson: L,17-37
- 2017-18 Rose Bowl vs. Georgia: L,48-54 (2OT)
- 2018-19 Orange Bowl vs. Alabama: L,34-45
- 2019-20 Peach Bowl vs. LSU: L,28-63
Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How does the College Football Playoff distribute its money?
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos