College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to double its field to 24 teams

The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal with ESPN to expand its postseason field from 12 to 24 teams starting in 2027, according to ESPN. The two sides are nearing the end of talks over the agreement, according to Bloomberg.

The CFP issued an update on the talks last week, saying the exclusive 30-day negotiating period with ESPN ended Oct. 9. The CFP said discussions with ESPN on media rights tied to a 24-team format are continuing and that the dialogue has been constructive. It said it will provide updates when appropriate.

An official announcement could come within days, pending approvals, according to Sportico. Terms of the expansion remain undisclosed, according to Sportico, and the new deal would run through the 2032 championship game.

According to ESPN, the format under discussion would award 19 at-large spots, plus berths for the Power 4 conference champions as decided by each league and for the top-ranked Group of 6 team. Teams seeded in the top eight would sit out the opening round and then begin their tournament at home. Teams seeded Nos. 9 through 16 would host first-round games.

The plan would do away with the Power 4 title games and move the opening of the season up by one week, according to ESPN. Bloomberg likewise reports the plans include a longer season and the end of those title games.

The Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Peach, Orange and Cotton bowls would remain the venues for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, according to ESPN. The national championship game would stay in January.

Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, whose conference has been the main champion of the 24-team model, has rejected concerns that a bigger field would cheapen the regular season, pointing to "tiered incentives," according to ESPN.

ESPN and the CFP struck a $7.8 billion, six-year contract in March 2024, giving the network sole media rights to the event through the 2031-32 season, according to ESPN.