Story perspectives

CFP to expand to 24 teams in 2027

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 2:44 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Playoff Officials Expand

College Football Playoff officials will expand the tournament to 24 teams starting in 2027.
The new format adds 23 at-large bids, four Power Four champions and one Group of Six champion.
Conference championship games will be eliminated to accommodate the additional playoff round.
ESPN reports the expansion could generate $320 million in additional media-rights revenue.
Critics argue the larger field will lessen regular-season importance, weaken bowl games, and reward mediocrity.

Summary

CFP Sets Deadline

CFP gave ESPN a five-day window to review the 24-team proposal, ending Dec. 1.
If ESPN and CFP cannot agree, playoff rights could go to the open market.
CFP officials can extend negotiations indefinitely, even after the deadline.
ESPN retains matching rights to meet any higher offer from another network.
Negotiations also propose moving the Army-Navy game to the first Saturday of December.

History

Historical Context

In 1985 the NCAA grew the men’s basketball tournament to 64 teams, eliminating byes and establishing the modern March Madness format that increased media coverage on CBS. Earlier, ESPN’s 1980 coverage of early rounds had already expanded exposure, and the pattern of enlarging postseason fields now influences other college championships.

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Playoff Officials Expand

College Football Playoff officials will expand the tournament to 24 teams starting in 2027.
The new format adds 23 at-large bids, four Power Four champions and one Group of Six champion.
Conference championship games will be eliminated to accommodate the additional playoff round.
ESPN reports the expansion could generate $320 million in additional media-rights revenue.
Critics argue the larger field will lessen regular-season importance, weaken bowl games, and reward mediocrity.

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