All Football Bowl Subdivision conferences and the University of Notre Dame have agreed to a new six-year College Football Playoff deal starting in 2026, paving the way for expanding the format to 14 teams, Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock said. said Friday.
The memorandum of understanding ensures that at least 12 teams will participate in the playoffs beyond 2026. There are still some key details to be ironed out, including the final details of the TV rights deal with ESPN that is reportedly worth $1.3 billion annually, but the deal has potential implications for how the 14 teams will play. setting the stage for a controversial debate. Playoffs will be held.
At the heart of this debate is whether the Big Ten and SEC winners are guaranteed a bye in the first round. Two powerhouse leagues are leading the 14-team format.
Hancock said there is currently no concrete timeline for format development for the 2026 season.
The potential expansion comes as the FBS prepares to transition to a 12-team playoff era this fall, replacing the four-team system that began in 2014.
The 12-team arrangement set up for the next two seasons will see seven at-large bids added to the top five winning teams in the conference. It will be a 12-team tournament, with the top four teams in the conference receiving byes, and the first round will be held at the top team's home stadium. The deal agreed to Friday ensures that at least five conference champions will continue to make the playoffs in 2026 and beyond.
According to ESPN, the move to 14 teams could result in significant changes in annual payouts by conference.
The Big Ten and SEC will receive more than $21 million per school, an increase from the roughly $5.5 million each team in the current Power Five leagues received during the four-team era.
Schools in the ACC are expected to receive more than $13 million annually, with Big 12 and Notre Dame teams expected to receive more than $12 million, according to ESPN. Group of Five schools would receive $1.8 million a year, a slight increase from the $1.5 million they currently receive.
