CFP Officials Explore 14 or 16 Team Expansion for 2026 and Beyond
College football commissioners convened on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of expanding the College Football Playoff (CFP) field to either 14 or 16 teams starting in 2026. The discussions centered around potential changes to the playoff format and the inclusion of more automatic qualifier spots. With the pressure mounting and a looming deadline to finalize a new television deal with ESPN, the CFP management committee, comprised of the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, engaged in detailed conversations. The Big Ten and SEC were expected to present specific ideas during the meeting, and they delivered.
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti expressed optimism about the productive discussions, stating that the meeting was the most productive he had attended since becoming commissioner. The possibility of a 14-team format was brought up and received significant discussion. However, no further details were disclosed, as there is still work to be done. Despite the lack of specifics, Petitti emphasized that he was pleased with the collective effort and collaboration among the commissioners.
The current plan for the 2024 and 2025 seasons is a 12-team model, which was recently approved by the Board of Managers, consisting of university presidents. This decision came in response to the collapse of the Pac-12 conference. Under this model, five conference champions will receive automatic bids for the next two years, with four teams earning first-round byes. Seven additional teams will secure at-large spots.
Now that the immediate focus is on the 2026 season and beyond, where no contract is currently in place and unanimous decisions are not required, discussions regarding potential changes have intensified. The management committee met for over eight hours, including a two-hour session exclusively with representatives from the Power 5 conferences and Notre Dame’s incoming athletic director.
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips acknowledged that discussions revolved around expanding the playoff format to include 14 or more teams. A 14-team model would likely feature two first-round byes, while a 16-team format would eliminate the byes altogether. Both scenarios would provide additional spots for the Power 4 conferences, particularly the Big Ten and SEC, which have had more CFP appearances due to their expanded memberships.
While the commissioners acknowledged the potential size of further expansion, they refrained from divulging details about the possibility of adding more automatic qualifying spots, specifically for the Big Ten and SEC. This topic was expected to be raised by the two conferences, but it remained exploratory during the meeting. The CFP executive director, Bill Hancock, stated that it was premature to provide specifics and that further discussions were necessary at the campus and conference levels.
Commissioner Brett Yormark of the Big 12 described the conversation regarding automatic bids as exploratory, emphasizing that they were currently examining numbers and would need to go through a process before making any decisions.
The primary focus remains on determining the right playoff format for the 2026 season and beyond. The commissioners aim to create a model that benefits college football, the conferences, Notre Dame, and ensures the long-term health and well-being of the sport.
After months of refusing to set a deadline, Hancock stated that potential format changes and the subsequent television deal must be finalized within a month. This timeframe presents a small window to address potentially significant format changes, especially considering that commissioners also have conference basketball tournaments to oversee. Revenue sharing and voting powers for the 2026 season onward are also key topics of discussion.
Last week, The Athletic reported that ESPN and media representatives for the College Football Playoff had reached an agreement on terms for a new television deal worth $7.8 billion over six years from 2026 to 2032. This deal is in addition to ESPN’s rights for the 12-team model for the next two years. However, the agreement has yet to be voted on, and ESPN has expressed frustration with the prolonged negotiations. CFP officials declined to comment on whether an expanded field would increase the value of the television deal.
Hancock emphasized the urgency of reaching a resolution, stating that the CFP needs to conclude the discussions within a month. He acknowledged that while artificial deadlines may not be ideal, progress must be made. The commissioners left the meeting with an encouraging feeling that they would reach a resolution soon.
It is worth noting that it took nearly four years for CFP expansion to go from a subcommittee’s creation to a fully implemented plan. Now, the commissioners, some of whom were not involved in the initial proposal of the 12-team model in 2021, are discussing changes before it has even been implemented. With limited time available, they are determined to make progress and find a solution that satisfies all parties involved.
In conclusion, college football commissioners are actively exploring the expansion of the College Football Playoff field to accommodate 14 or 16 teams starting in 2026. Detailed discussions surrounding potential changes and additional automatic qualifier spots took place during a recent meeting. While the immediate focus is on finalizing the 12-team model for the next two years, attention has shifted to determining the playoff format and other considerations for 2026 onward. The commissioners face a tight deadline to finalize these decisions and secure a new television deal with ESPN. Despite the challenges, there is optimism that a resolution will be reached soon, ensuring the continued growth and success of college football.