Overview
- The College Football Playoff and ESPN moved the format decision deadline from Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 23, 2026, the Friday after the national championship.
- If no agreement is reached by the new date, the playoff will remain a 12-team field for the 2026–27 season.
- The Big Ten has promoted a much larger bracket with multiple automatic qualifiers, including a reported 24-team model, while the SEC favors an at-large–heavy field and opposes automatic bids.
- Under the six-year media arrangement beginning in 2026, any format change requires alignment between the Big Ten and SEC, which currently are described as "miles apart."
- CFP executive director Rich Clark said the extension is intended to fully vet potential modifications in the best interests of student-athletes, schools, and fans, with further discussions expected around postseason meetings in Miami.