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CFB·ANALYSIS·October 17, 2026 11:04 AM ET

College Football Playoff nears deal to expand to 24 teams starting in 2027

Pete Thamel reports the expanded format would launch next season.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read
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The GameDay crew weighs in on what a 24-team College Football Playoff could mean for the future of the sport. https://t. Via @CollegeGameDay on X

What happened: The College Football Playoff is nearing an agreement to expand its postseason field to 24 teams beginning with the 2027 season, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. The College GameDay broadcast crew in Provo addressed how the expanded bracket would reshape the sport.

Why it matters: A 24-team postseason format would double the current playoff footprint and significantly widen at-large access across major conferences. Shifting the threshold for postseason qualification alters regular-season scheduling incentives and conference championship stakes.

What to watch: Formal ratification of the 24-team structure and specific qualification rules for the 2027 launch remain the next milestones for CFP decision-makers.

Sources

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