Dallas, Texas—The College Football Playoff is making significant changes to its format, the Board of Managers announced on Tuesday. The 12-team event will now include the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large bids, as opposed to the previous “6+6” model.
This adjustment comes as a response to the latest round of conference realignment, which saw the dismantling of the Pac-12. The board, consisting of 11 chancellors and presidents from each FBS conference along with Notre Dame, met virtually to finalize the new format.
One of the key changes includes giving the top four conference champions a first-round bye, with the No. 5 seed playing No. 12, No. 6 playing No. 11, No. 7 playing No. 10, and No. 8 playing No. 9. The 5-8 seeds will host the first-round games at their respective schools, and the New Year’s Six bowls will host the quarterfinals and semifinals on a rotation.
Additionally, there are no automatic qualifications for conference champions, and there is no limit to the number of at-large bids a conference can earn. This shift in the format aims to better accommodate the changing landscape of college football.
There is anticipation for potential discussions and disagreements among the commissioners who make up the CFP Management Committee, particularly concerning key structural details for 2026 and beyond. The struggle to agree on these details will take place in person at their meeting in Dallas on Wednesday.
Overall, the adjustments are aimed at reflecting the evolution of college football and conference structures since the initial adoption of the new format in September 2022. Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State and chair of the CFP Board of Managers, expressed confidence that these changes would be well-received by the college football community. This new format is set to come into effect for the 2024 season, and it is poised to bring a refreshing dynamic to the exciting world of college football playoffs.