Orlando Daytona Beach Melbourne, FL, November 9, 2026 — The College Football Playoff (CFP) is undergoing a significant expansion, increasing its field from the current four teams to 24 teams. This change is slated to take effect beginning with the next college football season.

The decision for expansion was announced by college leaders and finalized through an agreement with ESPN. This move marks one of the most substantial alterations to the postseason format in recent history, aiming to broaden participation and engagement.

Under the new 24-team structure, the playoff will feature automatic qualifiers from major conferences. These spots will be reserved for conference champions from the most prominent leagues. In addition to automatic bids, a committee will be responsible for selecting at-large teams. These selections will likely be based on rankings and overall season performance, providing opportunities for highly regarded teams that may not win their conference championship.

The primary goal behind this expansion, as stated by college leaders, is to involve a greater number of teams and, consequently, more fan bases in the excitement of the postseason. This broader inclusion is expected to generate increased interest and viewership throughout the playoff tournament.

Details regarding the specific number of automatic bids versus at-large selections, as well as the criteria the committee will use for at-large bids, are expected to be clarified as the implementation date approaches. The agreement with ESPN, the broadcast partner for the CFP, ensures that the expanded playoff will be televised.


Story summarized from the original created by Eddie Pells, Associated Press on www.clickorlando.com, see more information here.

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