College Football Playoff Set to Expand to 24 Teams Starting in 2027
The College Football Playoff (CFP) will expand to a 24-team format beginning with the 2027 season, following a new five-year rights deal between the CFP and ESPN worth approximately $1.7 billion. This agreement increases ESPN's annual payment for the playoff…
Albany, GA, November 9, 2026 — The College Football Playoff (CFP) is set to undergo a significant expansion, growing to a 24-team format. This change will be implemented starting with the 2027 season.
The expansion follows the finalization of a new five-year media rights agreement between the CFP and ESPN. The deal is reportedly valued at approximately $1.7 billion. This financial arrangement will increase the annual payments ESPN makes for coverage of the playoff.
In addition to the expanded format, the new agreement introduces other structural changes to the postseason tournament. Among these changes will be an increase in the number of games played at on-campus sites. Further details regarding the specific format of the 24-team playoff and the schedule for on-campus games were not immediately provided. The contractor’s name for the new deal was not provided. The fine amount was not provided. The inspection outcomes were not provided. The permit status was not provided. The timeline beyond the 2027 season start was not provided.
This new structure marks a substantial shift from the previous format, which featured a smaller field of teams. The expansion aims to include more collegiate teams in the postseason championship competition. The agreement with ESPN is set to cover the CFP through the 2030-2031 season.
Story summarized from the original created by Albany Herald News on albanyherald.com, see more information here.
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