• Loading stock data...
Monday, March 16, 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

Inside the Conference Fight That Left Louisiana Tech With 20 Games

Both conferences have released schedules, including the Bulldogs.
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; AFC coach Steve Young during practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building.

Steve Young Says Bay Area Ties Helped Build PE Empire

“If I played for the Vikings, I don’t think this goes the same way.”
Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) shoots against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at United Center.

‘Players Are Workers’ and Deserve Right to Unionize: Former NLRB Exec

The SCORE Act would not designate student-athletes as employees.

Sacramento State’s Only Shot at MAC Revenue: Make the CFP

Sacramento State forfeits MAC revenue but could earn money with a CFP berth.

Featured Today

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Nicole Silveira
March 3, 2026

The Tattoo Marking Membership in the Most Exclusive Club in Sports

For athletes, the Olympic rings tattoo is “about everything it took.”

MAC Set to Cash In After Miami (Ohio) March Madness Controversy

The conference received two tournament bids for the first time since 1999.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
March 15, 2026

Viral McNeese Student Manager Makes March Madness Return

Khan said he executed more than 20 endorsement deals last year.
March 15, 2026

How Conferences Cash In on March Madness 

The men’s tournament will pay out more than $220 million.
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Mar 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) reacts with guard Isaiah Evans (3) and guard Caleb Foster (1) after being fouled during the first half against the NC State Wolfpack at Lenovo Center.
March 14, 2026

Duke Continues to Embrace the Fountain of Youth

Duke continues to build winning programs around star freshmen. 
March 14, 2026

Big East Tourney Keeps Delivering—Even in a Football-Dominated Era

St. John’s routs UConn as Big East tourney proves league still thriving.
UCLA Bruins celebrates Sunday, March 8, 2026, after the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 96-45, for back to back Big Ten championships.
March 14, 2026

UCLA Women’s Basketball Strives for a Final Four Return

Rosters are getting even older—and UCLA is no different.
March 13, 2026

Big 12 Ditches LED Court Mid-Tourney After Player Concerns

Widespread player complaints helped lead to the mid-tournament switch.