John Grant addresses the possibility of 4-team HBCU football playoffs
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As calls for an HBCU football playoff continue to grow, Celebration Bowl Executive Director John Grant says the idea remains unrealistic because of scheduling and television constraints. For years, some HBCU football fans have advocated for expanding the current postseason format into a four-team playoff.
Under the concept, champions or top teams from the MEAC, SWAC and other prominent HBCU programs could compete in semifinal games before advancing to the Cricket Celebration Bowl, which would serve as the national championship game.
During an appearance on Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab, Grant explained that fitting additional postseason games into the current calendar presents significant challenges.
“Playoff timing. There isn’t a schedule and what that would look like. Right now, you have the Bayou Classic at the end of the SWAC season, going right into the SWAC Championship, and then going out right after that into the bowl game. Timing and scheduling is one.”
He also spoke about the media deal for the Celebration Bowl in the current format and the danger of scheduling against the NFL and the College Football Playoff.
“The second part of it is none of that works if you don’t have available television in town. That’s the other major factor, because TV time is all tied up until you get to week two, where we are. They’re all tied up at Championship Weekend. They’re all tied up around Thanksgiving with Rivalry Weekend, and so there isn’t really any window.
He continued, “There is zero appetite to move the bowl game later, because now you’re moving it into the mouth of jaws, I would call it, because the week after us the NFL schedule starts playing on Saturday, along with the college playoffs. There is really no appetite, there is no value, nor is there a window or opportunity to create an additional playoff.
Grant confirmed that he’s heard about the ideas and urged fans to consider the potential value of a college football playoff.
“I’ve heard about that a lot, but then you have to look at what is the value and how can you deliver the value? All the things that would deliver the value do not exist.”
Grant’s comments come as the Celebration Bowl has already had to adjust its schedule due to the expanded College Football Playoff. Beginning in 2024, the game was moved up by one week to avoid a conflict with the opening round of the CFP, illustrating the scheduling challenges Grant referenced.
The 2026 Celebration Bowl will again be played under that adjusted calendar.
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