College Football Playoff Stays 12 Teams for 2026 Season

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is sticking with a 12-team field in 2026. The CFP’s management committee announced the decision this week.

This gives the CFP and conference commissioners more time to think about possible expansions—maybe 16 or even 24 teams. There’s been a lot of debate, especially between the Big Ten and SEC, about what’s next for the playoff.

For now, the 12-team setup lets everyone keep evaluating whether changes are really needed. The hope is to keep college football exciting and competitive, but who knows what tweaks might come down the line?

Current 12-Team Format Continues

The choice to stick with 12 teams came after some pretty long talks among the management committee. CFP executive director Rich Clark said this will give the committee a chance to review things and figure out if changes are necessary.

Debates are ongoing, and not everyone agrees on where the playoff should go next. The future feels a bit up in the air.

Contentions Between Big Ten and SEC

The Big Ten and SEC are at odds here. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has been vocal about wanting a 16-team playoff.

On the other side, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti says he’d go for 16 only if Sankey commits to a 24-team field after three years. But sources say Sankey’s not ready to make that promise. So, for now, the 12-team format stays put.

Future Considerations for Expansion

There’s a lot of talk about moving to 16 teams, but honestly, nobody’s surprised we’re staying at 12 with the Big Ten and SEC still disagreeing. The management committee hasn’t gotten much pushback about this decision.

This is only the third year of the system, so there’s still plenty to learn. Folks are curious how the selection committee will handle things this fall, especially with the ACC and SEC about to play nine-game league schedules.

Impact of New League Schedules

With the ACC and SEC switching to nine-game league schedules, expect to see more teams with two or three losses in the mix. That’ll test how the selection committee handles such scenarios.

It’s a chance to see if the current setup really works, or if tweaks are needed. The committee wants to keep things fair, but honestly, it’s a tough job.

Media Rights and Contract Details

Back in March 2024, the CFP and ESPN signed a six-year deal worth $7.8 billion. That keeps ESPN as the exclusive media rights holder through the 2031-32 season.

During those talks, the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame’s athletic director Pete Bevacqua signed a memorandum giving the Big Ten and SEC most of the say over the playoff’s future. The contract was built for a 12- or 14-team field, but lately, there’s been more buzz about 16 teams.

ESPN’s Role and Deadlines

ESPN has set a December 1, 2025, deadline for the CFP to decide on its format. The SEC asked for more time and got an extension until January 23.

Clark said there’ll be a December 1 deadline every year to update ESPN about any format changes. That way, everyone stays in the loop.

Adjustments to Team Selection

The number of teams isn’t changing this fall, but there are a few tweaks to how teams get in next season. The Power 4 conference champs are guaranteed spots, along with the highest-ranked conference champ from the Group of 6, which now includes the revamped Pac-12.

Notre Dame will also get in if it finishes in the top 12 of the selection committee’s rankings. That could shake things up a bit.

Hypothetical Scenarios

If these rules had been in place this season, ACC champ Duke and Notre Dame would’ve made the playoff. Meanwhile, Miami, which played for the national title, would’ve been left out.

These changes are supposed to give deserving teams a real shot at the playoff. It’s all about keeping things competitive and, hopefully, a little unpredictable.

Future Championship Games

Next season, first-round CFP games will still be played on campus sites. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be hosted by the CFP bowls.

The championship game is set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monday, January 25, 2027. That’ll be the latest date ever for crowning a national champion in FBS history.

The decision to keep the 12-team playoff format for 2026 shows just how much debate is happening among the CFP’s management committee.

They’re giving themselves more time to evaluate, hoping that any changes made down the road will actually help the sport.

College football keeps shifting, and the CFP says they’re focused on making the postseason fair and exciting for every team involved.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the original article on ESPN.