CFP Officials Consider Expansion to 14 or 16 Teams by 2026 Amid Realignment

As the College Football Playoff looks to expand, financial considerations and conference power dynamics play a key role in ongoing discussions.

College Football Playoff (CFP) officials are discussing expanding the playoff field from 12 to 14 or 16 teams starting in 2026.
The expansion talks come amid a backdrop of significant conference realignment and power shifts, with the Big Ten and SEC gaining more influence.
The proposed 14-team model would likely feature two first-round byes, while a 16-team model would have no byes, potentially giving more access to the now Power 4 conferences.
Financial considerations and revenue distribution are central to the discussions, with the Big Ten and SEC expected to push for a larger share of CFP revenue.
The CFP and ESPN have agreed in principle to a six-year contract extension worth about $1.3 billion annually, but details on format and revenue distribution are still being negotiated.