ESPN and the College Football Playoff (CFP) have reached an agreement to expand the playoff format to 24 teams, according to reports from USA TODAY Sports. The deal represents a significant restructuring of college football's postseason, though specific financial terms and implementation details were not immediately disclosed.
The expansion would mark a dramatic increase from the current four-team format that has been in place since the 2014 season. The move follows years of debate about playoff accessibility and revenue distribution among conferences and programs.
John Leuzzi of USA TODAY reported the agreement on November 9, 2026. Further details regarding the timeline for implementation, selection criteria, and broadcast arrangements are expected to be released by the CFP and ESPN in the coming weeks.
