College Football Playoff expansion is happening. The event will expand from four teams to 12, reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Thamel reports that 2026 is the expected start date for the expanded field.
The playoff remains at four teams through at least the 2025 season after the playoff’s board of managers tabled talks earlier this year. Since the four-team format began in 2014, the SEC leads the playoff in appearances (10), wins (14) and national championships (five).
The 2021 season’s College Football Playoff was the first year that a Group of Five team appeared in the semifinals, breaking the streak of no parity.
Sources: The CFP Board of Managers has decided on a 12-team College Football Playoff during today's meeting.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 2, 2022
Breaking: The CFP Board of Managers has decided on a 12-team College Football Playoff, sources told @PeteThamel.
The 12-team model is expected to start in 2026, after the current contract, according to a source. pic.twitter.com/IIwyJPnM5i
— ESPN (@espn) September 2, 2022