The latest expansion of the College Football Playoff — adding eight teams and expanding from four to 12 — was a massive success, with incredible games up and down the bracket.
Soon, we could see another expansion, adding an extra four teams to a total of 16, for a new playoff system beginning in 2026.
Big Ten, SEC Pushing 16-Team College Football Playoff
The proposal is backed by Big Ten and SEC schools after an in-person meeting, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported. Power conference commissioners met in New York Thursday, discussing CFP expansion, among other things.
The four power conference commissioners held an in-person meeting in New York on Thursday to discuss several issues, including a future playoff format, sources tell @YahooSports. Big Ten & SEC – they control future format – continue to favor multiple AQs for their conferences.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) May 8, 2025
The bracket would include four automatic bids for both the SEC and Big Ten, according to Dellenger. The ACC and Big 12 would get two spots each and the Group of 6 would get one. The final three spots would be reserved for at-large bids.
“I would say that 16 [teams] is becoming more preferred,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. “It seems like 16 may be the preferred number, but there’s no format decision.”
While no decisions were made Thursday, they could arrive in the coming months — spearheaded by Big Ten and SEC leaders, who have their annual spring meetings this month. The SEC is also expected to discuss a nine-game conference schedule.
“I like the 12-team format. I love it,” Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said. “Whether we go to 14 or expand the field, I don’t know, and obviously it’ll be a decision amongst the management committee. As it relates to the AQs, and I’ve been on the record saying this, I don’t want an artificial championship. I want people to earn their way in. I don’t want it being predetermined.
KEEP READING: Analyst Josh Pate Reflects On Past Criticism As CFP Expansion Talks Heat Up Ahead Of Potential 16-Team Format
“That being said, I’m open to discussion. I want to weigh the pros and cons of lots of different scenarios. Then, as a collective group, make a decision on what’s right for college football.”
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