The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams, a shift that arrives after just three years of the 12-team playoff format.
The push toward expansion
The decision to expand to 24 teams was unanimous among the CFP Management Committee. While proponents argue it offers a wider path to the postseason for programs like Texas A&M and Minnesota, the move has drawn significant scrutiny.
According to a CFP expansion survey, fan sentiment across major conferences voted against the expansion. “We're aware of the fan sentiment and that many fans aren't in favor of expansion. That was certainly weighed into the decision. It was considered,” CFP executive director Rich Clark told reporters.
"Just the vision of our conference is light years ahead of everybody else." Bret Bielema reacts to CFP expansion and praises how @bigten commissioner Tony Petitti kept coaches in the loop during the discussions 🔊 pic.twitter.com/C58uWlrht7
Critics point to the potential devaluation of the regular season. Coaches such as Texas A&M’s Mike Elko have expressed concern that a 24-team field makes the significance of weekly regular-season games less meaningful.
For programs like Minnesota, which currently ranks 16th in the 18-team Big Ten with an estimated roster budget of $18 million to $22 million for the 2026 season, the new format presents a chance for a playoff run but highlights the financial hurdles inherent in modern college football.
The end of a tradition
The expansion effectively kills the conference championship game. The SEC, whose title game began in 1992, confirmed that the 2026 contest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be the 35th and final edition.
ESPN is reportedly paying to remove these games from the calendar to clear space for the expanded playoff schedule. For many, these games were a load-bearing support of college football tradition, dating back to various iterations implemented by the Big 12 in 1996, the MAC in 1997, and others through 2018.
Some coaches have voiced frustration over the loss. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz suggested the conferences have become irrelevant, noting that the pursuit of extra television dollars has often overridden 150 years of tradition. Others, like UCLA head coach Bob Chesney, have adopted a pragmatic approach, focusing on the competitive challenge regardless of the structural changes.
Impact on bowl games and revenue
Bowl games face an uncertain future. While six bowl games will continue to rotate as hosts for the quarterfinals and semifinals, the secondary bowl circuit faces a major hit.
Historically, games like the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which attracted 8.7 million viewers, have outperformed some first-round playoff games in television ratings. Bowl executives, such as those representing the current system, maintain that the bowl season will survive, though they acknowledge the format will be different.
“If you do the math, that obviously means 12 less teams available for the bowl system. So for that reason, we will obviously see less bowl games,” Bowl Season executive director Nick Carparelli said.
Here's how the CFP's proposed 24-team expanded playoff bracket would look if using the selection committee's rankings today. pic.twitter.com/1pqQGLjE08
Financial projections suggest the expansion will generate an extra $345 million, though critics note that the cancellation of conference championships results in a loss of roughly $200 million, leading to a net gain of approximately $145 million. This marginal increase has led some to question the necessity of the overhaul.
“The conferences have to decide: Do they want to continue play for teams that do not qualify for the playoff? They've all got to come together and say yes, we want to do this,” Gator Bowl President and CEO Greg McGarity said.
CFP executive director Rich Clark was asked by media how fan sentiment was taken into account in the decision to expand the playoff to 24 teams next season: pic.twitter.com/ZLs07rvM8y
How the 24-team structure works
The new 24-team field will be comprised of the four conference champions from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC, with the remaining spots determined by the CFP Selection Committee.
- First-Round Byes: Seeds 1-8 earn a bye before their first game.
- First Round: Seeds 9-16 will host games on their respective campuses against seeds 17-24.
- Second Round: Seeds 1-8 will host games on their respective campuses.
- Scheduling: Games will take place on the Thursday-Saturday of their respective weekends.
As the sport shifts toward this professionalized model, the emphasis on revenue and large-scale tournaments appears to have superseded the historical importance of the regional regular season.
Most college football fans seem to hate this new College Football Playoff format. I can certainly understand why — unless they’re a Pitt fan. My column on how the Panthers have the opportunity to gain plenty from a 24-team field:https://t.co/dzBjBmoSF8
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