CFP Nears Deal to Expand Playoff to 24 Teams by 2027

The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand its field to 24 teams starting in 2027, according to sources who spoke with ESPN's Pete Thamel and Heather Dinich. The report, published Oct. 15, 2026, said the agreement is expected to come together soon but is still pending final approvals.

What Would the 24-Team Format Include?

Discussions have centered on a bracket built from 19 at-large bids, the Power 4 conference champions as determined by each league, and the highest-ranked Group of 6 team, ESPN reported, citing unnamed sources. The current CFP field includes 12 teams. ESPN's report did not specify seeding rules, first-round byes, or host-site criteria for the larger bracket.

Why Would Conference Championship Games Disappear?

The proposed expansion is tied to a broader negotiation between the CFP and ESPN over a new broadcast-rights deal, sources told ESPN. That agreement is expected to eliminate the Power 4 conference championship games and to move the start of the regular season a week earlier, according to the report. ESPN's story did not detail how conferences would be compensated for revenue tied to the championship games, nor did it name which conference officials, if any, have objected to removing them.

When Would the New Playoff Format Start?

Sources told ESPN the 24-team field is expected to begin with the 2027 season. The report describes the deal as "nearing" completion but pending final approvals, without identifying which parties still need to sign off.

What Hasn't Been Confirmed Yet?

ESPN's account relies on unnamed sourcing and does not include an on-record statement from a CFP or ESPN official confirming the terms. The report does not say how many sources were consulted or specify a timeline for a formal announcement. Details on automatic qualifiers beyond the conference champions and the top Group of 6 team were not included.

What To Watch

• Whether CFP management committee members or university presidents issue on-record confirmation of the 24-team structure.
• A formal announcement of seeding and qualification rules for the 19 at-large slots.
• How Power 4 conferences plan to offset revenue previously tied to championship games.
• Confirmation of the ESPN-CFP broadcast rights agreement that underlies the proposed change.

ESPN's report remains the only sourced account of the negotiations as of publication, and the outlet has not published an on-record statement from the CFP confirming the terms.