"CFP leaders -- including all 10 FBS commissioners, Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, and the 11 presidents and chancellors who comprise the organization's Board of Managers -- will meet on Jan. 18 in Miami, the day before the national championship game, for their annual review of the season. They are expected to discuss two models: a 16-team field that includes five conference champions and 11 at-large teams, and another format with 24 teams."
"Petitti and Sankey have the bulk of control over the playoff's format in 2026 and beyond, an agreement the other commissioners and Bevacqua signed off on in 2024 during the last contract negotiations with ESPN. If the Big Ten and SEC leaders can't come to an agreement by the deadline, the playoff will remain at 12 teams. The field will now guarantee the Power 4 conference champions spots, along with the highest-ranked conference champion from the Group of 6, which now includes the revamped Pac-12."
Strong support exists for a 16-team College Football Playoff to start in 2026 if Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey reach a specific compromise. A stalemate between Petitti and Sankey could keep the playoff at 12 teams for next season. The completion deadline moved from Dec. 1 to Jan. 23, 2026, and CFP leaders will meet Jan. 18 in Miami for the annual review. Two models under consideration are a 16-team field (five conference champions plus 11 at-large) and a 24-team format. The Power 4 champions and the top Group of 6 champion will be guaranteed spots.
Read at ESPN.com
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