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College Football Playoff Stays at 12 Teams for 2026 After SEC–Big Ten Stalemate

A stalemate between the SEC–Big Ten over 16 versus 24 teams kept changes off the table under ESPN’s decision deadline.

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Head Coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leads his team into the stadium to start the second half of a college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on November 29, 2025 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California.
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Overview

  • CFP leaders confirmed the 12-team format for 2026, adding guaranteed spots for the champions of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC, plus Notre Dame if it finishes inside the top 12.
  • First-round games will be played on campus sites, quarterfinals and semifinals at CFP bowl venues, with the national title set for Jan. 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
  • The SEC favored a 16-team bracket focused on at-large bids, while the Big Ten pushed for a path to 24 teams and sought a commitment to expand beyond 16 after a short term.
  • The CFP operated under an ESPN extension to a Jan. 23 deadline for 2026 decisions; future changes must be set by Dec. 1 each year, and negotiations will resume for 2027.
  • Under the new selection tweaks, 2025 ACC champion Duke and Notre Dame would have made the field, while Miami would have missed out despite its subsequent title-game run.