College Football Playoff Expands to 12 Teams

In one of the most transformative decisions in recent college football history, the College Football Playoff (CFP) system will officially expand to 12 teams starting this season, signaling the end of the four-team model that has been in place since 2014.

The new format includes straight seeding, with first-round byes granted to the top four teams as selected by the CFP selection committee.

Under the updated structure:

Teams ranked 5 through 12 will face off in first-round games, hosted at the higher seed’s home stadium.

READ ALSO: NFL Faces Backlash Over Kansas City Chiefs’ Prime-Time Dominance

The quarterfinals and semifinals will rotate among the New Year’s Six bowl games, with the National Championship Game remaining at a neutral site.

The expansion ensures greater representation across conferences, likely including multiple teams from the SEC, Big Ten, and potential Group of Five entries.

CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock stated, “This expansion not only rewards excellence but adds meaningful games and builds excitement. Every game, every week, will matter even more.”

The change comes after years of mounting pressure from fans, media, and university presidents who argued that the old model excluded too many deserving teams and stifled opportunities for underdogs to compete on a national stage.