CFP expands playoff to 24 teams beginning in 2027

The College Football Playoff and ESPN have agreed to expanding the playoffs from 12 to 24 teams, starting in 2027.

“We will make the 24-team Playoff spectacular for the fans, student-athletes, their institutions and all our stakeholders,” CFP Executive Director Rich Clark said on Monday. “That is our commitment.”

In 2024, the playoff field expanded for the first time from four to 12 teams, tweaking the rules in each of the three years in the current format. 2026 will be the last year of the 12-team playoff.

“The decision to expand was driven by a desire to increase opportunities for FBS programs, student-athletes and fan bases to participate in the Playoff and have a chance to play for the CFP…