Proposed 24-Team Format and Timeline
The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand its field to 24 teams, according to a Thursday afternoon report by ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel. The new format would double the current 12-team field and start immediately for the 2027 season. Thamel reported that the 24-team Playoff is expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals. He also reported that the College Football Playoff is finalizing a deal with ESPN to purchase the additional games through the 2031 college football season, which is the same length as ESPN's current deal.[S1]
The final details have not been announced, but the expectation for the field includes 19 at-large bids, the Power 4 conference champions, and the highest-ranked Group of 6 team. According to the report, the New Year's Six bowl slate (Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Peach, Orange, and Cotton) is still expected to host the quarterfinals and semifinals, while the national championship game is expected to still be played in January. Among the proposed expectations for the playoffs are seeding and bye-game determinations. The proposed plan reportedly features first-round byes for teams ranked No. 1-8.[S2]
Impact on Transfer Portal and Coaching Carousel
One big question that will arise from this development is how the expansion will impact the transfer portal and the coaching carousel. ESPN's Heather Dinich went on the Paul Finebaum Show on Thursday afternoon to explain her thoughts. She said she has talked to AFCA executive director Craig Bohl about this, and the transfer portal and the coaching carousel are not expected to change in a 24-team college football playoff calendar. She added that the same issues will still be seen in terms of those teams competing for the national title having players entering the portal, and she thinks it is probably four teams at that point when the actual window is.[S2]
Historical Context and Current Outlook
The movement to a 12-team field for the Playoff does not go back that much, with the expansion from a 4-team field to a 12-team field starting in the 2024 season. That means if this expansion to 24 teams is approved, the 12-team format would have only lasted 3 seasons, from 2024-26. If the Playoff does indeed expand to 24 teams in 2027, it would provide a lot more margin for error for teams to make the field. But for this season, the CFP is still only 12 teams.[S1][S2]
