College Football Playoff Set to Expand to 24 Teams Next Season
The College Football Playoff is expanding to 24 teams, a change that will take effect starting next season for college football.
Boise, ID, November 9, 2026 — The College Football Playoff (CFP) is undergoing a significant expansion, increasing its field size to 24 teams. This substantial change is slated to take effect starting with the upcoming college football season.
The decision to expand the playoff field represents a major shift in the structure of college football’s postseason. Historically, the CFP has featured a smaller number of teams, typically four, vying for the national championship. The move to 24 teams will considerably broaden the opportunities for collegiate programs to compete for the sport’s ultimate prize.
Details regarding the specific criteria for team selection, the format of the expanded tournament, and the distribution of automatic bids versus at-large selections were not provided in the initial announcement. The timeline for this expansion indicates that the new 24-team format will be implemented beginning with the next college football season.
This expansion is expected to have a far-reaching impact on team strategies, conference championship implications, and the overall fan experience throughout the regular season and bowl games. Further information on the operational aspects and specific implementation of the 24-team playoff is anticipated as the next season approaches.
Story summarized from the original created by AP via Scripps News Group on www.kivitv.com, see more information here.
