CFP moves closer to 24-team playoff format starting in 2027
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 15, 2026, 6:15 PM
Last updated Oct 15, 2026
The College Football Playoff is proceeding toward a 24-team expansion planned for the 2027 season, according to multiple sources including ESPN's Pete Thamel. ESPN is expected to finalize a deal with CFP that will eliminate conference championship games to facilitate the new format. Current rights with ESPN for the playoff, worth $1.3 billion annually, will get a significant increase in financial terms. A formal proposal for new terms was sent by CFP leadership to ESPN, with a deadline of October 19 for an agreement. If an agreement isn’t reached, the broadcast rights may have gone to open bidding.
- •CFP is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams.
- •New format is intended to start in 2027.
- •ESPN holds exclusive rights through 2031.
- •Expected financial terms will exceed current annual payment.
- •Proposal deadline for ESPN is October 19.
- 6:59 PMESPN — Sources: CFP nearing deal for 24-team format beginning in '27
- 6:07 PMYahoo Sports — CFP, ESPN ‘nearing deal’ on 24-team format to begin in 2027
"The College Football Playoff appears to officially be expanding. According to a report by ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel, the CFP “is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams” for the 2027 season. A deal is “expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals,” Thamel writes. Prior reports indicate that…
"The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, sources tell ESPN's Pete Thamel, with the new format expected to begin in 2027.
Sources
External links- ESPNOct 15, 2026, 6:59 PMSources: CFP nearing deal for 24-team format beginning in '27
The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, sources tell ESPN's Pete Thamel, with the new format expected to begin in 2027.
- Yahoo SportsOct 15, 2026, 6:07 PMCFP, ESPN ‘nearing deal’ on 24-team format to begin in 2027
The College Football Playoff appears to officially be expanding. According to a report by ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel, the CFP “is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams” for the 2027 season. A deal is “expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals,” Thamel writes. Prior reports indicate that…
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