SEC Expands to 9-Game Conference Schedule Starting 2026

In a significant move for college football, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has officially announced that it will be expanding to a 9-game conference schedule starting in the 2026 season. This change comes as the SEC looks to maintain the "most compelling football schedule in college athletics" and adapt to the College Football Playoff's (CFP) increased focus on strength of schedule when selecting teams.

The SEC has played an 8-game conference schedule since expanding in 1992, but will now join the Big 12 and Big Ten in adopting a 9-game format. Under the new system, each SEC team will play 3 permanent opponents annually, with the remaining 12 teams rotating on a 4-year cycle. This will ensure that every team plays every other conference member at least once every two years, with home-and-home matchups over a 4-year period.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey emphasized that the conference will still require its members to schedule a game against a Power Five opponent or Notre Dame, preserving the competitive nature of the league. "Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation," Sankey said.

The move comes as the CFP committee has signaled a stronger emphasis on strength of schedule when selecting teams for the playoff. This has provided additional motivation for the SEC to expand its conference slate, ensuring its teams face a more challenging path to the conference championship game and potential playoff berth.