College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams in another sea change for the sport

NPR | By Becky Sullivan

Published November 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM EST

The College Football Playoff is expanding again. The 12-team format lasted just three years. Starting next fall, the field will expand to 24 teams in a massive moment of transformation for the sport.

Becky Sullivan

Becky Sullivan is NPR’s sports correspondent.

See stories by Becky Sullivan

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