The College Football Playoff officially approved a 24-team postseason format beginning with the 2027 season — the largest structural change since the playoff launched in 2014.
The Big Ten and SEC held decisive influence over the decision. The Big Ten advocated for 24 teams; the SEC initially favored a 16-team model but agreed after confirming it could absorb the loss of its championship game and securing agreement on a scheduling model requiring 10 Power 4 opponents per team.
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Under the new format, teams will play 12 regular-season games and no Power 4 conference championship games. Seeds 1–8 receive a first-round bye and host second-round games. Seeds 9–16 each host a first-round game against seeds 17–24. A team that qualifies without a bye and reaches the national championship will play 17 total games — matching the current maximum for teams that reach the title game after playing a conference championship.
The 2027 regular season runs from Aug. 28 to Nov. 27. Selection Day has not been scheduled. The playoff begins Dec. 9, 2027, with eight first-round games over three days. Second-round games follow Dec. 16–18. Quarterfinals occur Dec. 31, 2027–Jan. 1, 2028. Semifinals are Jan. 13–14, 2028. The national championship is Jan. 24, 2028. The Army-Navy Game moves to Dec. 4, 2027.
ESPN remains the sole rights holder through the 2031–32 season. It pays an average of $345 million annually in new revenue for the expanded format, on top of its existing $1.3 billion annual payment. That new sum reflects $140 million in annual savings from canceled SEC, Big 12 and ACC championship games — rights ESPN previously held. Fox expects to recoup about $50 million annually from cancellation of the Big Ten title game, which it televises.
New scheduling standards require Power 4 schools to play at least 10 qualifying regular-season games against Power 4 opponents or Notre Dame. Group of 6 schools must play at least 10 qualifying games against Power 4, Group of 6, Notre Dame or independent opponents. The CFP selection committee will no longer award ranking weight to more than one win over FCS opponents per season.
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin called the expansion “right-sizing” access for 68 Power 4 schools plus Notre Dame competing for just 11 spots under the prior model. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz emphasized heightened national interest in November games beyond the traditional top tier.
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