The College Football Playoff appears to be expanding to 24 teams.
If the deal comes to fruition, the new playoff format would debut in the 2027 season, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The new playoff format will reportedly use a so-called “19+4+1” system, which includes 19 at-large bids, the Power Four conference champions and the highest-ranked team from the Group of Six.
The change is also expected to eliminate Power Four conference championship games and move the start of the season up one week, per ESPN.
That would double the size of the playoff field just three seasons after the tournament expanded from four to 12 teams before the 2024 season, ending the CFP’s decade-long four-team era.
Under the proposed new format, the top eight seeds would receive first-round byes and host second-round games, while seeds Nos. 9 through 16 would host opening-round games.
The first two rounds would be played on campus, with the New Year’s Six bowls hosting the quarterfinals and semifinals.
The deal has not yet been finalized, with the CFP facing a Dec. 1 deadline to approve changes for the 2027 season.
The move comes after four years of debate over the playoff’s future, dating back to the decision to expand to 12 teams in 2022.
In July 2025, Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua came out in favor of a 16-team playoff.
A month later, the Big Ten floated the idea of increasing the playoff to 24 or 28 teams.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey spoke out in favor of a 16-team field last December, but indicated this week that he was open to 24 teams.
The ACC and Big 12 also initially opposed a 24-team playoff before reversing course earlier this year.
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