College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams in 2027

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The College Football Playoff (CFP) is set to expand to 24 teams in 2027 as part of a five-year media rights deal with ESPN, according to a report. The agreement, valued at approximately $1.7 billion, marks a significant shift in the structure of college football’s postseason.

Under the new format, Power 4 conference championship games will be eliminated, and the regular season will begin in what is being called ‘Week Zero,’ the week before Labor Day. The season will conclude the weekend of Thanksgiving, with the national title game scheduled for January 24, 2028.

The expanded field of 24 teams will include 19 at-large bids, with the four Power 4 conference champions determined by their leagues and the Group of 6 teams with the highest rankings. Notre Dame, which previously had a guaranteed spot, will no longer be assured of a berth unless it qualifies through the at-large selection process.

The College Football Playoff selection committee will continue to rank the top 25 teams for inclusion, with the potential to expand to a top 30 list to identify teams on the bubble. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized the network’s commitment to elevating the CFP in its new format, calling it a ‘marquee event in all of sports.’

Breaking: The College Football Playoff and ESPN have signed a five-year, nearly $1.7 billion deal that will expand the field to 24 teams in 2027 with ESPN as its continued broadcast partner, sources told @CFBHeather. https://t.co/B9tzAPqnoe

@espn on X

The change has sparked discussions about the future of college football, particularly regarding the balance between conference championships and the broader postseason. As the CFP continues to evolve, the role of media partners like ESPN will remain central to the sport’s visibility and growth.

Source: Daily Caller

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claire.thomson