College Football Playoff Executive Endorsed 24-Team Format
CFP leader Rich Clark has signaled potential support for expanding the current 12-team postseason structure.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Football
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College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark has endorsed moving to a 24-team playoff format. The organization is currently in an extended negotiating window with ESPN regarding its rights package.
Why it matters
Expanding to 24 teams would significantly increase total game inventory, though power conferences would need to reconcile the potential loss of revenue from eliminating traditional conference championship games.
The potential 24-team format marks a shift from the current 12-team model. ESPN currently holds a $7.8 billion media deal with the playoff through the 2031-32 season.
The players
Rich Clark
Rich Clark serves as the executive director of the College Football Playoff.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
ESPN
ESPN is a major sports media conglomerate that holds the broadcast rights for the College Football Playoff.
The details
The College Football Playoff recently extended its 30-day negotiating window with ESPN by five days to finalize terms. Rich Clark also noted his support for the Protect College Sports Act, describing 80% of the bill as beneficial to the current landscape.
Timeline
March 2026: President Donald Trump signed an executive order regarding the Army-Navy game broadcast.
September 2026: The Protect College Sports Act passed the U.S. Senate.
October 9, 2026: The original ESPN negotiating window concluded before a five-day extension.
December 1, 2026: The deadline for the CFP to notify ESPN regarding the feasibility of a 24-team format for the 2027-28 season.
2027-28 season: The potential start date for the proposed 24-team playoff expansion.
The Big Picture
The CFP leadership is navigating its expansion plans alongside the requirements of the Protect College Sports Act, which is currently under review in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A 24-team playoff would significantly increase the number of postseason games available for broadcast, potentially altering the scheduling of future seasons. This shift would also necessitate a complete restructuring of the current postseason bracket and revenue sharing agreements.
The takeaway
The move toward a larger playoff bracket represents a major commercial pivot for college football executives seeking to maximize media rights value. Fans should expect significant changes to the structure of the postseason if these expansion talks successfully reach a deal by December.
What happens next
The College Football Playoff must notify ESPN by December 1, 2026, regarding whether a 24-team format is feasible for the 2027-28 season.
Further reading
For additional context on the changing postseason landscape, visit the Football section.
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Do you support expanding the college football playoff to include 24 teams?
