A reported $1.7 billion partnership between the College Football Playoff and ESPN could reshape the postseason landscape as early as the 2027 season.
Key points
- A $1.7 billion contract between the CFP and ESPN is reported, aiming to expand the playoff to 24 teams.
- The new format would eliminate Power Four conference championship games and grant first‑round byes to the top eight seeds.
- The expanded field is expected to be set on Nov. 28, 2027, with the Heisman ceremony moved to early December.
- The changes could reduce the regular season’s impact and reshape the purpose of conferences in college football.
According to ESPN reporter Heather Dinich, the College Football Playoff (CFP) and ESPN have reached a reported $1.7 billion agreement that would expand the postseason field from the current 12 teams to 24, with the changes slated to take effect for the 2027 season.
Under the proposed structure, the Power Four conference championship games would be discontinued, and the top eight seeds would receive a first‑round bye—double the current number of byes. An additional round of campus‑site games would be added, creating a broader bracket while preserving a seeded advantage for the highest‑ranked teams.
Key terms of the reported agreement
The deal also includes a timeline for finalizing the expanded field on Nov. 28, 2027, and a shift in the Heisman Trophy ceremony to the first week of December (the source notes a Dec. 3‑5 window, though it references 2007, suggesting a possible typographical error).
Analysts noted that removing conference championships could diminish the regular season’s weight, as teams could lose up to three games and still qualify for the playoff. The move marks a dramatic recalibration of college football’s postseason, prompting debate about the future role of conferences.
How the new format would work
The CFP has issued a statement indicating that the contract is "in the final stages of review," aligning with the reporting that the agreement is near completion and confirming earlier speculation about a larger playoff format.
Reader questions
When is the expanded playoff format expected to begin?
The reported agreement sets the 24‑team playoff to start with the 2027 season, with the field to be confirmed on Nov. 28, 2027.
How many teams will receive a first‑round bye under the new plan?
The top eight seeded teams would receive a first‑round bye, up from the current four.
What happens to the Power Four conference championship games?
According to the reported terms, the Power Four conference championship games would be discontinued.
Source: bleacherreport.com
