College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams in 2027 as ESPN Commits Nearly $1.7 Billion
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 9
College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams in 2027 as ESPN Commits Nearly $1.7 Billion
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 9
Summary
A five-year ESPN deal worth nearly $1.7 billion will push the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams starting in 2027, ending the current format after just three seasons.
ESPN agreed to absorb costs tied to scrapping conference title games, helping clear the way for most major leagues to drop them and free up calendar space for the larger bracket.
The SEC said its 2026 championship game in Atlanta will be the last, while other Power-4 leagues have issued title-game statements and Group of Six conferences are still deciding.
The new format gives spots to four ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC champions, one top-ranked team from the other six leagues, and 19 at-large teams; 16 of 23 games will be on campus.
The move underscores how TV revenue is reshaping college football, even as critics including Nick Saban argue 24 teams dilute the value of conference titles and the national championship race.