College football expands playoff to 24 teams, ending conference title games
ESPN will pay an additional $1.7 billion over five years, and the new format begins with the 2027 season.
By Luana Sato ·
The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams starting next season, a change that eliminates the traditional conference championship games for the Power Four conferences.
The College Football Playoff and ESPN confirmed the agreement on Monday. The media company will pay an additional $1.7 billion over five years, added to its original $7.8 billion contract that runs through the 2031 season.
The new format grants automatic berths to the four Power Four conference champions and the top Group of Six team. A selection committee will determine the remaining 19 spots. The top eight seeds receive first-round byes, and the tournament begins on the second weekend in December with on-campus games.
The first two rounds of the new playoff will take place on campus. The Army-Navy game moves to the first weekend in December, a date previously reserved for conference titles. Traditional bowl games will host the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, with the championship game scheduled for Jan. 24, 2028, in New Orleans.
The expansion requires Power Four teams to play at least 10 regular-season games against conference opponents, other Power Four schools, or Notre Dame. Group of Six teams must play 10 games against conference opponents. These rules aim to standardize strength of schedule for the selection committee. Notre Dame loses its special ranking guarantee but retains one of only two independent spots in major college football.
The move represents the second expansion since the playoff began in 2014 with four teams. It increased to 12 teams in 2024. The Big Ten and SEC approved the change, with the Big Ten pushing for a larger field. ESPN senior vice president Nick Dawson said fan reaction influenced the decision and that the network aims to create a spectacular event.
Coaches view the change as a positive for rebuilding programs. Purdue coach Dave Odum said the format helps teams building toward a higher level. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell stated he will make the expansion a great thing for the sport. The regular season will begin the week before Labor Day and include two guaranteed off weeks.
