What’s Next for the CFP? Expansion, Format Changes on the Horizon

As Year 1 of the 12-team College Football Playoff concludes, potential further expansion is set to remain a major discussion point among the sport’s leaders.

Changes could come as soon as next season but are more likely to arrive in 2026 since the contract for the CFP’s current structure only runs through the 2025 season. 

The CFP is governed by its management committee, consisting of 10 conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, as well as a board of managers, comprising 11 university presidents and chancellors. Those leaders would have to approve any changes.

Numbers Games

Automatic bids for conference champions and Playoff seeding have been two of the most controversial aspects of the expanded CFP and could be the most likely to be altered.

No. 3 Boise State and No. 4 Arizona State were among the top four seeds that all lost in the quarterfinals. The Broncos were No. 9 and the Sun Devils No. 12 in the final regular-season CFP rankings, but received first-round byes for winning the Mountain West and Big 12, respectively. 

Clemson’s upset victory over SMU in the ACC championship game ultimately led to the Mustangs earning the final CFP bid over Alabama, despite much debate.

Is Bigger Better?

Should the CFP expand in the coming years, growing to 14 or 16 teams would be a logical next step.

Moving to 16 teams, for example, would eliminate first-round byes, but potentially give eight teams the chance to host on-campus matchups in the opening Playoff round, which were considered a huge success for Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Texas last month.