College Football Playoff expanding to 24 teams in 2027, with more games coming to campuses across the country
The College Football Playoff is set to expand from 12 to 24 teams in 2027, following expected agreement on ESPN’s purchase of the additional broadcast rights. The change would substantially reshape the postseason, with the first two rounds reportedly played on university campuses and potentially fewer conference championship and bowl games.
The proposed bracket would include 19 at-large places and five automatic bids: one for each Power Four conference and one for a Group of Six team. ESPN’s current playoff deal runs through 2031, and a meeting to discuss the expanded games’ finances was expected on Thursday. The article also says Big Ten teams could be required to schedule a Power Four non-conference opponent, while the SEC has already moved to a nine-game conference schedule.
- The playoff is expected to grow to 24 teams in 2027.
- The first two rounds would reportedly be played on campuses.
- The bracket would have 19 at-large and five automatic bids.
New here? Start with this
The College Football Playoff is the end-of-season competition that decides the US college football champion. Teams belong to conferences, which organise regular-season matches and often hold their own championship games; some teams also play in bowl games, long-standing postseason fixtures.
The playoff’s places are divided between automatic bids for conference champions and at-large selections chosen from other teams. The Power Four refers to the largest conferences, while the Group of Six is a group of smaller conferences. Broadcaster ESPN holds the playoff’s television rights, so changes to the competition also affect how its games are funded and scheduled.
A larger playoff would mean more teams taking part and more postseason matches, including games hosted at universities. It could also affect conference title games, bowl traditions and the balance between conference fixtures and matches against teams from other conferences.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A 24-team playoff would give more teams a meaningful chance to compete for the national title and make the season’s results matter to a broader range of fans. Holding early rounds on campus could bring more atmosphere and revenue to universities, while additional broadcast rights could help fund the expanded event.
The case against
A larger playoff could make the season longer and place more strain on student-athletes, while crowding out conference championships or bowl games that have their own traditions and value. With most places at-large and the broadcast rights held by ESPN, critics could also question whether the format serves competitive fairness and the wider sport as well as it serves media and commercial interests.