College Football Leaders Discussed 24-Team Playoff
Executives are meeting in Chicago to explore expanding the College Football Playoff field.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Football
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College Football Playoff leaders are currently holding meetings in Chicago to discuss a potential expansion of the postseason to 24 teams. This proposal follows the current 12-team model and has drawn support from the ACC, Big 12, Notre Dame, and the SEC.
Why it matters
Expanding to 24 teams could significantly alter the college football calendar by potentially eliminating conference championship games. Any shift in the playoff format requires a consensus agreement between the SEC and Big Ten.
The proposed 24-team field would mirror the structure used at the FCS level of Division-1 since 2013. CFP leaders must determine if this expansion is feasible by the December 1 deadline.
The players
College Football Playoff
This organization manages the postseason tournament that determines the national champion of top-tier college football.
ESPN
This major sports media conglomerate holds the broadcasting rights for the College Football Playoff.
SEC
The Southeastern Conference is a major collegiate athletic conference that carries significant influence in football governance.
Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference is one of the oldest and most prominent athletic conferences in the United States.
The details
Expansion talks are occurring alongside a 30-day exclusive negotiation window between the CFP and ESPN, which opened on September 8. If approved, the new format could replace current structures as early as the 2027 season.
Timeline
2013: The FCS level of Division-1 adopted a 24-team playoff format.
September 8, 2026: CFP executives opened a 30-day negotiation window with ESPN.
Week of September 29, 2026: CFP expansion talks continued during meetings in Chicago.
October 8, 2026: The exclusive ESPN negotiation window expires.
December 1, 2026: Deadline for a final decision on the 2027 playoff format.
Season Trajectory
The move toward a 24-team field represents a rapid shift from the four-team format that defined the CFP for its first decade. This change follows a pattern set by the 2013 FCS 24-team playoff adoption.
A move to a 24-team playoff would likely eliminate conference championship games to accommodate the expanded postseason schedule. This change would shift the criteria for teams earning at-large bids into the national tournament.
The takeaway
The potential expansion reflects a broader effort to standardize playoff access across different tiers of college football. Readers should watch for the December deadline, as it will determine the format for the 2027 season and beyond.
Further reading
For more on the evolution of the postseason, visit the Football section.
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