College Football Playoffs Format To Remain At Four Teams

The College Football Playoff Board of Managers announced Friday that the College Football Playoffs will remain a four-team playoff through the 2025-26 season, with negotiations to continue for a new format beginning for the 2026-27 season.

The Board of Managers accepted a recommendation from the Management Committee to continue the playoff’s current format, which was envisioned as a 12-year plan that began in the 2014-15 season.

Recently discussed proposals for an expanded playoff included eight- and 12-team formats, some including the higher-seeded school hosting some College Football Playoff games.

“Even though the outcome did not lead to a recommendation for an early expansion before the end of the current 12-year contract, the discussions have been helpful and informative,” said Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff. “I am sure they will serve as a useful guide for the Board of Managers and for the Management Committee as we determine what the Playoff will look like beginning in the 2026-2027 season.”

Hancock added the Management Committee has been “thorough and diligent” in reviewing the 12-team proposal and other ideas for expansion.

“This has been a long, careful, and detailed process that involved many people considering a complex matter,” he said. “I am grateful to everyone for their dedication to college football and the detailed and deliberative effort everyone put into the consideration of a different format. I know the four-team event will continue to be successful.” 

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said earlier this week that he eventually expects the playoff to expand to 12 teams, and would be surprised if it doesn’t happen.

“I think there’s things that just need to be solved and worked out,” he said. “I think we’re gonna get there, I just think we just got to keep working through these little interests that each conference has, and some people will have to sacrifice and give up some of those interests. It’s a negotiation. I think we’ll get there. I hope we get there because I think it’s a cool thing, I really do.”