GRAPEVINE, Texas — The landscape of college football playoffs could be poised for change in the near future, as key figures met on Wednesday to discuss the potential expansion of the College Football Playoff field. With discussions centering around the possibility of increasing the playoff field to 14 or 16 teams in 2026, there is anticipation for pivotal decisions to be made in the coming weeks.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) management committee, comprised of the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, gathered to address the pressing need to finalize a new television deal with ESPN. With a month’s timeframe looming, the committee grappled with the details of potential changes to the playoff format.
Grappling with the aftermath of the Pac-12’s collapse, the Board of Managers recently approved a move to a 5+7 model for 2024 and 2025, signaling a shift in the playoff structure in the short term. As discussions shift to the years beyond 2025, the committee evaluated the prospects of a 14 or 16 team playoff format, as well as the potential for additional automatic qualifier spots within the playoffs.
While the 12-team model for 2024 and 2025 has been solidified, the looming absence of a contract for 2026 presents an opportunity for potential expansion. Talks of a 14-team model, which could include two first-round byes, and a 16-team model, which would forego any byes, were on the table for consideration.
As the commissioners deliberated potential further expansion, the possibility of adding more automatic qualifying spots, particularly for the Big Ten and SEC, was a topic of interest. However, specific details on this prospect remained elusive as commissioners emphasized the need for further deliberation and consultation within their respective conferences.
With negotiations for a new television deal with ESPN approaching the deadline, CFP executive director Bill Hancock stressed the urgency of finalizing potential format changes within the next month. The stakes are high, not only in terms of the playoffs but also in the realm of broadcasting rights and revenue sharing for the years to come.
Amidst the uncertainty and time constraints, the push for playoff expansion underscores the ongoing efforts to adapt college football to the evolving landscape of the sport. With critical decisions on the horizon, the discussions in Grapevine, Texas set the stage for a potentially transformative new era in college football playoffs.