College Football Playoff nearing future 24-team format

College Football Playoff nearing future 24-team format

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

College Football Playoff nearing future 24-team format

The College Football Playoff will soon expand from 12 teams to 24.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the CFP is close to a deal to expand to 24 teams, and the new format will begin with the 2027 college football season. The CFP is also finalizing a deal with ESPN to purchase the additional CFP games through the 2031 season, according to Thamel.

MORE: ESPN ‘College GameDay’ guest picker for Week 7 announced: Notre Dame vs. BYU

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. https://t.co/tRdVAiqKax

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 15, 2026

A 24-team playoff has been expected for some time; it was just a matter of when. Heck, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said earlier this week that there is an “openness” to CFP expansion and expected a decision soon.

What does a 24-team CFP format mean?

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy as the team celebrates winning the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

More teams from each of the Power Four conferences will make it going forward. There’s also a chance that some of the conference championship games at the end of the regular season are eliminated.

For example, once the regular season ends, we might go right into the CFP.

As for this season’s CFP, it will stay at 12 teams and will have the same format as last year’s.

—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter—

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos