College Football Playoff Set to Expand to 24 Teams Beginning in 2027
The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams beginning with the 2027 season. This change coincides with ESPN securing new media rights for the CFP through 2031 in a deal worth nearly $1.7 billion for an additional five-year period.
Fargo Valley City, ND, November 9, 2026 —
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is scheduled to undergo a significant expansion, increasing the number of participating teams to 24. This change is slated to take effect beginning with the 2027 season.
This expansion announcement aligns with the recent securing of new media rights for the CFP by ESPN. The broadcast network has finalized an agreement that will extend its coverage through the 2031 season. This extended deal represents an additional five-year period for ESPN’s involvement with the playoff. The financial terms of this new media rights agreement are reported to be worth nearly $1.7 billion.
The specific details regarding how the 24-team playoff format will be structured, including automatic qualifiers and at-large selections, were not provided in the summary. Further announcements are expected regarding the operational aspects of the expanded tournament. The current CFP format involves a smaller field of teams, and the move to 24 signifies a substantial shift in the postseason landscape for college football.
Story summarized from the original created by Field Level Media on www.inforum.com, see more information here.
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