CFB2d ago
College Football Playoff Set for 24-Team Expansion in 2027
A handshake agreement paves the way for a larger postseason field, with adjustments to the regular season and conference title games.
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Agreement Reached on Expanded Field
The College Football Playoff has reached a handshake agreement to launch a 24-team postseason starting with the 2027 season. This move would double the current field size. While board approvals remain pending across all parties, the deal marks a major step forward. The new structure is expected to include 19 at-large bids along with the Power 4 conference champions and the highest-ranked Group of 6 team. The agreement also calls for eliminating Power 4 conference championship games and shifting the season start one week earlier.
Financial Terms of the Deal
The broadcast partner would provide an average additional payment of $345 million annually over the next five years. This comes on top of the existing average of $1.3 billion paid each year. After accounting for the cancellation of three power conference championship games, the net additional cost drops to $205 million annually due to $140 million in returned rights fees. The Big Ten title game cancellation is expected to return around $50 million per year to its rights holder.
Postseason Format and Incentives
The New Year's Six bowls would continue to host the quarterfinals and semifinals, with the national championship game still set for January. Under the proposed seeding, teams ranked Nos. 1-8 would receive a first-round bye and host a game in the next round. The No. 1 seed would face the winner of a matchup between Nos. 16 and 17, while the No. 2 seed would take on the winner of Nos. 15 and 18. Teams seeded Nos. 9-16 would host first-round games. This setup creates tiered incentives for teams throughout the rankings to improve their position or secure a spot in the field.
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