Home / Sports / CFP Expansion Talks Stall: 12-Team Format Locked for 2026
CFP Expansion Talks Stall: 12-Team Format Locked for 2026
24 Nov
Summary
- College Football Playoff will not expand for the upcoming season.
- Leagues remain divided on playoff format, with Big Ten and SEC at odds.
- The current 12-team playoff format will continue through the 2026 season.
Leaders in college football are still divided on the ideal format for the College Football Playoff, despite its upcoming 12-team iteration for 2026. Expansion discussions have stalled, with no agreement reached for the next season.
The Big Ten's initial proposal for a 16-team playoff with multiple automatic qualifiers for power conferences has lost momentum. Instead, disagreements persist, notably between the SEC, which favors five automatic bids and 11 at-large spots, and the Big Ten, which proposed a 24-team playoff with more automatic qualifiers determined by conference standings.
Concerns over the selection committee's subjectivity and the role of automatic qualifiers fuel the debate. While some leagues like the Big 12 and ACC prioritize a fair format, the ultimate decision rests with the SEC and Big Ten, suggesting a potential shift towards larger playoff fields in the future.
