The CFP management committee, comprising commissioners and incoming Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua, gathered in Dallas on Wednesday to deliberate the possibility of expanding the playoff field to 14 teams starting from the 2026 season. This discussion comes just months before the inauguration of the first season featuring a 12-team playoff format.
Sources: The idea of a 14-team College Football Playoff was discussed by the CFP management committee at meetings in the Dallas area today. If that happened, it would begin in 2026. Nothing is imminent, but it’s significant this idea was discussed.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 21, 2024
CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock confirmed that the idea of a 14-team playoff had been on the table during the meetings but refrained from divulging specific details, stating, “There’s work still to be done.” The proposal marks a potential evolution in the playoff structure, demonstrating the continuous efforts to enhance the college football postseason experience.
Insider sources revealed that a 14-team playoff model dominated the discussions, and officials left the meeting with a sense of momentum favoring this prospective change.
As CFP officials work towards finalizing an eight-year television contract, three key issues are yet to be resolved: access, distribution of revenue, and governance. Hancock emphasized the urgency of addressing these matters within the next month, underscoring the significance of streamlining the playoff system’s future.
The shift from a 12 to a 14-team playoff primarily addresses the issue of access rather than financial considerations, which remain crucial in the decision-making process. Deliberations included discussions on how automatic qualifiers would be distributed, particularly addressing the potential scenario of conferences like the Big Ten and SEC securing up to four automatic bids.
Financial considerations loom large in the discussions, with the Big Ten and SEC advocating for a more financially favorable contract than the current one. The complexity of accommodating 34 teams from the combined Big Ten and SEC within the revenue-sharing framework adds a layer to the negotiations.
While financial matters were not extensively explored during Wednesday’s meeting, Hancock indicated that detailed conversations took place, stating, “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.”
A 14-team playoff would likely introduce byes for the highest-ranked conference champions, further incentivizing league title games. This format mirrors the expected structure of the 12-team playoff set to debut this season.
In addressing the discussions, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said, “Today included lengthy and in-depth discussions about the future of the CFP — 2026 and beyond. Overall, it was a full day of candid conversations that included both positive elements as well as difficult differences that need further collaboration.”
He concluded by saying, “All voices were heard, and we collectively agreed to move forward together as there is more work to be done.”
