Peoria Bloomington, IL, November 9, 2026 — The College Football Playoff (CFP) is set to undergo a significant expansion, increasing the number of participating teams from the current four to 24, starting with the upcoming season. This marks a substantial shift in the format of the premier postseason tournament in American college football.

The decision to expand the playoff field was announced, with the new 12-year agreement for the CFP beginning with the 2024-2025 season. The expansion will significantly broaden the opportunities for teams across various conferences to compete for the national championship.

Details regarding the selection process and how the 24 spots will be allocated among the participating conferences have been outlined. The format aims to include conference champions and potentially several at-large selections. The specific criteria for at-large bids and the number of automatic qualifiers from each conference are key components of the revised structure.

The current four-team playoff system has been in place since its inception. The move to a 24-team format is expected to increase the number of games played and extend the playoff period. Information regarding the specific dates and locations for the expanded playoff games was not detailed in the initial announcement, nor was the total financial value of the new media rights deal for the expanded playoff.

This expansion comes after considerable discussion and debate among stakeholders within college football, including athletic directors, conference commissioners, and fans. The change is anticipated to have a notable impact on team strategies, recruiting, and the overall landscape of the college football season.


Story summarized from the original created by EDDIE PELLS, Associated Press on www.centralillinoisproud.com, see more information here.

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