College football executives near 24-team playoff expansion

College football leaders are moving to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, a structural shift that would fundamentally alter the regular season and eliminate traditional conference championships. Rich Clark, executive director of the group controlling the playoff format, stated that the organization has resolved key issues associated with the expansion, clearing the path for financial negotiations. Clark told Yahoo! reporter Ross Dellenger that these operational steps had to occur before discussions on revenue sharing could begin. The expansion follows a rapid series of changes in the sport, beginning with the four-team format introduced in 2014 and expanding to 12 teams after criticism of Florida State's exclusion from the 2023 edition. Administrators identified a significant revenue opportunity in adding playoff games, driving the push for further growth. A "confident stakeholder" quoted by Dellenger asserted that if a television deal materializes, the move to 24 teams is certain. The proposed schedule would see eight first-round games begin two weeks after the regular season ends, effectively one week after the current conference championship window. This timeline would eliminate conference championship games, which were previously considered a necessary component of the season. Eight second-round games would follow in late December, likely played at the home stadium of the lower-seeded team, mirroring the current first-round format. The expansion would include teams with three losses and likely those with four, reducing the significance of close losses between top programs. In the era of superconferences, strength of schedule is expected to guarantee spots for some lower-division teams. This shift could influence scheduling decisions, as coaches may be more willing to arrange high-profile non-conference matchups if losses carry less penalty for playoff eligibility. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian previously criticized the scheduling system after Texas lost to Ohio State in 2025 and missed the playoff, calling it a disservice to the sport. While Texas won in 2026, the underlying concern about easier schedules leading to 10-2 seasons remains relevant. Attendance trends show that teams like USC can sell out stadiums for big games, such as against Oregon, even when earlier games draw smaller crowds. The move prioritizes revenue over traditional competitive structures, with few fans demanding a 24-team field. The change represents a significant departure from previous formats, focusing on maximizing broadcast and ticket revenue rather than rewarding exceptional regular-season performance.