College Football Playoff to expand to 24 teams in 2027

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) - The College Football Playoff is expanding to 24 teams for the 2027 season, doubling the size of the current field and bringing an end to conference championship games, according to CBS Sports.

Details of how teams will qualify have not been officially announced. Sources told CBS Sports the field is expected to include 19 at-large selections, the champions of the four major conferences and the highest-rated champion from the Group of Six conferences.

The playoff is currently in its third season with a 12-team field.

The competition began with four teams after the 2014 season before expanding to 12 in 2024.

Conference title games to end

The larger playoff will eliminate conference championship games beginning in 2027, according to CBS Sports.

Those games have been major television draws and sources of revenue for their conferences.

The SEC championship game, which debuted in 1992, has generated roughly $100 million for the conference, CBS Sports reported.

Last season’s matchup between Alabama and Georgia averaged 16.9 million viewers.

The Big Ten and SEC, which hold authority over the playoff format, had favored different approaches during negotiations.

The Big Ten pushed for 24 teams, while SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had supported a smaller field that would preserve his conference’s championship game, according to CBS Sports.

The ACC, Big 12 and Notre Dame also supported a 24-team format, the outlet reported.