Cleveland Akron, OH, November 9, 2026 — The College Football Playoff (CFP) is scheduled for a significant expansion, increasing its field size to 24 teams. This change is slated to take effect starting with the next college football season.

The decision to grow the playoff from its current four-team format represents a major shift in the landscape of college football’s postseason. While the exact structure and selection criteria for the expanded 24-team field were not detailed in the provided summary, the move indicates a broader inclusion of teams vying for the national championship.

The current four-team playoff format has been in place since its inception in the 2014 season. Prior to that, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) determined the national champion through a combination of computer rankings and human polls, often leading to controversy over which teams deserved a shot at the title.

An expansion to 24 teams would dramatically increase the number of programs with a potential pathway to compete for the championship. This could alter team strategies, conference scheduling, and the overall narrative of the college football season. Details regarding how teams will be seeded, the format of the playoff games, and the specific timeline for the selection process are anticipated as the commencement of the next season approaches.

The impact of this expansion on student-athletes, coaching staffs, and fan bases is expected to be substantial, potentially leading to more meaningful games throughout the regular season and a more diverse representation in the championship tournament.


Story summarized from the original created by Associated Press on fox8.com, see more information here.

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