College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams
Nick Saban publicly opposed the expansion, arguing money is the driving reason behind the change.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
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The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams next season, following its 2024 expansion from four teams to 12. Nick Saban voiced his opposition to the larger format on the New Heights Podcast.
Why it matters
The expanded field changes how teams qualify for the postseason and eliminates the SEC Championship Game as a conference title game. Saban's criticism highlights a debate over whether the format serves competitive fairness or financial interests.
The field has grown from four teams to 12 and now to 24, with the new format adding a playoff game in which the 24th team faces the ninth-best team. Revenue figures underlying the decision were not detailed in the available material.
The players
Nick Saban
A College Football Hall of Famer and former longtime head coach, known for leading Alabama to multiple national championships.
College Football Playoff
The postseason tournament that determines the national champion of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
The details
The 24-team format eliminates the SEC Championship Game as a conference title game. Saban said his teams played 15 games, three of them against the same opponent, and argued that expansion is driven by money rather than competitive considerations.
Timeline
2024: The playoff expanded from four teams to 12.
November 6, 2026: Saban criticized the 24-team format on the New Heights Podcast.
Next season: The 24-team College Football Playoff takes effect.
Season Trajectory
The 2024 expansion from four to 12 teams set the precedent for the current move to 24, which doubles the field again. The change reshapes how the playoff picture and conference title races are structured going forward.
The elimination of the SEC Championship Game removes a conference title game from the schedule, changing how fans and fantasy managers track postseason qualification. Teams will also play an additional playoff game at the new 24-team format's opening round.
The takeaway
The move to 24 teams shows how quickly playoff formats can grow, and Saban's objection reminds readers that financial motives often drive these changes. Following how the format is implemented next season will reveal whether the expansion delivers on its promised competitive benefits.
What happens next
The 24-team College Football Playoff format takes effect next season.
Further reading
For the broader context of American competition, explore Football coverage across the United States.
Live Poll
Do you support expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams?
