Saturday, November 14, 2026

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

The College Football Playoff is exploring potential format changes for next season, as well as 2026 and beyond. However, nothing has been agreed to yet.

Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The College Football Playoff’s annual spring meetings concluded without any major decisions about changing the format of the expanded, 12-team postseason bracket.

The CFP management committee—made up of FBS conference commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua—met in Dallas Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning to discuss standard logistical and financial operations for the upcoming season, as well as ideas about how the Playoff could further evolve.

However, no big changes were agreed to this week, CFP executive director Rich Clark told reporters in Dallas on Thursday afternoon.

One idea that has seemingly had momentum this offseason is shifting to straight seeding, as opposed to the inaugural bracket, which gave the top four seeds (that come with first-round byes) to the highest-ranked conference champions. This past season, No. 9 Boise State received the third seed, and No. 12 Arizona State got the fourth seed.

That change and any other could still be made ahead of the 2025 season, as the CFP leaders are set to meet again in June. 

Ahead of this week’s meeting, a source told Front Office Sports that they expected things to remain status quo this year, before big changes come in 2026, since the CFP format for that season and beyond has not yet been set.

Other potential format changes in future years include more automatic qualifiers for the Big Ten and SEC, expanding to 14 or 16 teams, and more on-campus home games.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ole Miss–Oklahoma Moved to Sunday, Sooners AD Rips Decision

Ole Miss–Oklahoma has been rescheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

College Football Teams Caught Up in Nationwide Flight Stoppage

Three Big Ten teams are still trying to travel to game sites.

Sports World Swoops In on Sam Hartman’s ‘Bachelor’ Season

The Commanders’ practice squad quarterback will star in the show’s 30th season.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/13/26 – NFL Ratings Records, Softball Players Unionize, Skubal Deal Looms

0:00

Featured Today

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Brentford - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - October 10, 2026 Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara applauds fans after the match

English Soccer Still Inundated by Gambling Ads Despite Jersey Ban

The ban on front-of-shirt gambling ads looks strict, but it’s largely cosmetic.
West Wind Mahjong
November 11, 2026

Mahjong Mania Has Come for College Sports

Bespoke retailers are cashing in with officially licensed mahjong sets.
November 6, 2026

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Purdue University Northwest women's flag football

How Much Women’s College Flag Football Coaches Make

Flag coaching pay varies by more than $100,000 across NCAA divisions.
Oct 3, 2026; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Jesse Legree (12) catches a pass from quarterback Braden Atkinson (2) in the second half against the Colorado State Rams at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Rydland-Imagn Images
November 12, 2026

Oregon State Keeps Its Star QB-WR Duo Amid $48M Fundraising Push

An Alabama-style front office and a $24M gift have fueled OSU’s turnaround.
November 12, 2026

College Sports Bill Proponents Mount Last-Ditch Lobbying Effort

Protect College Sports Act proponents are sending letters, running ads, and more.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
November 10, 2026

CFP Expansion Raises Big Questions for Group of 6 Conferences

The highest-ranked G6 conference champion will earn an automatic CFP berth each year.
Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; College Football First Round logo on field prior to the game between the Tulane Green Wave and the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
November 10, 2026

The Ripple Effects of a 24-Team College Football Playoff

The CFP officially announced plans to expand in 2027.
November 10, 2026

Tennessee Men’s Basketball Players Propose CBA

The agreement isn’t finalized but serves as a model for future negotiations.
November 9, 2026

College Football Playoff to Expand to 24 Teams Beginning in 2027 Season 

The 12-team Playoff was implemented in 2024.