In a recent College Football Playoff meeting held in Dallas, the prospect of expanding the playoff format to accommodate 14 teams starting from the 2026 season emerged as a topic of substantial discussion.
This discourse unfolded just months ahead of the inaugural 12-team playoff slated to commence.
The CFB Management Committee discussed the idea of a 14 team playoff in meetings today, per @PeteThamel
Nothing is imminent, but if approved one day, it would begin in 2026👀 pic.twitter.com/aPTl0CPPYk
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 21, 2024
CFP Executive Director, Bill Hancock, confirmed the deliberations regarding the expansion but refrained from delving into specific details, citing ongoing work. “There’s work still to be done,” he told ESPN.
Despite the imminent commencement of negotiations for an eight-year television contract, three critical issues linger unresolved: access, revenue distribution, and governance.
Hancock emphasized the necessity of resolving these matters within the coming month.
The idea of a 14-team CFB Playoff was discussed today and could start as early as 2026 per @PeteThamel. 👀 pic.twitter.com/1T5GKhzbZY
— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) February 21, 2024
The CFP management committee, comprising commissioners and incoming Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua, convened to explore the possibility of enlarging the playoff field post the expiration of the current contract following the 2025 season.
The shift from 12-to-14 teams primarily addresses concerns regarding access rather than financial considerations.
Here's what a 14-team Playoff might look like, Frankensteined together out of:
• 2023 Final CFP Rankings
• 2024 Conference alignment
• 2026 rumored 14-team model with 4 autobids for Big Ten/SEC plus 3 additional autobids for conference champs pic.twitter.com/aBx1igpX76— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) February 21, 2024
However, significant deliberations remain concerning the allocation of automatic qualifiers, particularly whether conferences such as the Big Ten and SEC could secure up to four automatic bids.Â
The Big Ten and SEC have asserted their stance for a more financially lucrative contract compared to the present arrangement, where 80% of revenues are evenly distributed among the Power 5 conferences.
With the addition of new teams, the combined representation of the Big Ten and SEC stands at 34 teams.
New Audible: @slmandel & I dig into the CFB Playoff possibly expanding to 14 teams as well as what's going on with the CFP broadcast deal. Plus, we got some very good mailbag questions that we answered:https://t.co/JcHRbxX6Vshttps://t.co/JcHRbxX6Vs
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 22, 2024
“I think everybody rolled up their sleeves and just said, ‘We need to get to work and share what’s on our mind,’ and they all did,” Hancock said of the meeting.
The push for an increase in automatic qualifiers has been evident, particularly from the Big Ten.
Commissioner Tony Petitti emphasized the importance of preserving the value of late-season games, reflecting on the significance of the regular season.
Clearly, he wants to keep the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry as vital and important as possible.Â
A potential 14-team playoff format could see the highest-ranked conference champions securing a bye, thereby amplifying the stakes of league title games.Â
An 🤔 series of events:
1. CFB leaders agree on a 12-team playoff and sound very happy with the outcome
2. Reports emerge that ESPN and the Playoff have a TV deal
3. Actually no they don't. The deal isn't done.
4. Now leaders are talking about 14 or 16 teams
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) February 22, 2024
What are your thoughts on increasing the playoff field from 12-to-14 teams?
What is the perfect amount?
Clearly, we needed more than four. It’s a tragedy that it too until now to up the field.
But what’s the sweet spot? … You have to have enough deserving teams without watering it down too much.
What’s the ideal situation???
How about this- let sec vs big10 do 100% their own thing.
Then everyone else can have college football back
— Beavs fan (@ChrisWe26845329) February 22, 2024