College Football Playoff considers expansion to 24 teams

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has entered a 30-day negotiating window with ESPN to discuss a potential expansion of the playoff field to 24 teams. A decision regarding the format for the 2027 season must be reached by a December 1 deadline.

The current media rights deal with ESPN is valued at $7.8 billion over six years, maintaining ESPN as the sole rights holder for fields of 12 or 14 teams. If the field expands beyond 14, ESPN would only hold exclusive first negotiation rights for the additional games. While conference opinions vary—with the SEC favoring 16 teams and the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC supporting a 24-team model—Fox has also signaled interest in the larger format.

Some figures, including coach Bob Stoops, have expressed shifting views on the expansion. While traditionally favoring fewer playoff games, Stoops noted that a 24-team model could increase the value and frequency of high-stakes non-conference matchups, allowing teams to remain in playoff contention even after a loss.