College Football Playoff reportedly near deal to expand to 24 teams in 2027
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The College Football Playoff (CFP) is close to finalizing an expansion from 12 to 24 teams, with an agreement expected soon, according to ESPN.
- The expanded 24-team playoff would begin after the 2026 season, which is currently the third year of the 12-team format implemented in 2024.
- ESPN, holding the CFP broadcast rights through 2031, plans to purchase the additional games created by the expanded playoff, potentially affecting sublicensing deals like those with TNT.
- The SEC's conference championship game and scheduling logistics have been key sticking points in the expansion talks, but recent alignment among power conferences has eased progress.
- The official deadline to decide next season's playoff format is December 1, and sources indicate that meeting this deadline for expansion is now a formality.
