• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, March 31, 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

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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chiefs Owner: Opener ‘Not on Table’ With Mahomes Status Unclear

Team owner Clark Hunt discusses Patrick Mahomes, TV, and the new stadium.

NFL Warns Prediction Markets Operators Over Vulnerable Bets

Ongoing litigation in the burgeoning industry has muddied the waters.
Dec 23, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC Sports Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

PFF Lays Off Several Employees Amid Company Sale

Teamworks’ purchase of PFF’s enterprise business side is reportedly worth nine figures.

Browns’ NFL Draft Pick Trade Proposal Falls Flat, Withdrawn

Support is lacking for the liberalized roster-management rule.

Featured Today

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.
Maxime Vachier Lagrave
March 25, 2026

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 29, 2026

UConn Men, Women Reach Final Four Despite Financial Pressures

UConn men and women both reach Final Four in rare feat.
exclusive
March 30, 2026

Alabama, Nebraska, Michigan Spent Most on CFB Private Jet Travel

Texas A&M spent $493,000 on coach Mike Elko’s travel alone.
Sponsored

Cameron Boozer & Cayden Boozer Talk Pressure, Benefit of Playing Together

The Boozer twins have built their games, and their identities, side by side.
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) attempts to dribble the ball past St. John's Red Storm forward Bryce Hopkins (23) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
March 27, 2026

Duke vs. St. John’s: The Battle of Dueling Roster Strategies

In the “unrestricted free agency” era, the Blue Devils won out.
Feb 22, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Reyna Scott (1) celebrates after time expires against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center
March 27, 2026

UVA Shows Anyone Can Win in Women’s Basketball—at a Price

Ohanian’s millions set a blueprint for winning in the NCAA.
Senate Capitol Hill
March 26, 2026

The Biggest Obstacle to a Bipartisan College Sports Bill

Democrats favor collective bargaining as a potential solution.
March 26, 2026

Will Wade Returning to LSU Seven Years After ‘Strong Ass Offer’

Wade was fired from LSU in 2022.