IRVING, Texas – The College Football Playoff (CFP) and ESPN announced today that both parties have mutually agreed to extend the deadline for finalizing the future postseason format. The new deadline for completing the format and related structural decisions moves from December 1, 2025 to January 23, 2026.

The extension provides the CFP Management Committee with additional time to continue ongoing discussions regarding future playoff models, scheduling details, media considerations, and long-term strategy.

"We appreciate the continued partnership and collaboration with ESPN as we work through the important elements that will shape the future of the College Football Playoff," said Rich Clark, Executive Director of the CFP. "While no change to the current format is definite, this extension will allow the Management Committee additional time to evaluate the second year of the expanded playoff and ensure any potential modifications are carefully considered, fully vetted, and in the best interests of student-athletes, schools, and fans."
 

About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP selection committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the regular season. The five highest ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams will be seeded into a 12-team bracket based on the final ranking, with the four highest-ranked teams receiving a first-round bye. The teams ranked Nos. 5-12 will play in the CFP First Round, with the higher seeds hosting the lower seeds. The Playoff Quarterfinals and Playoff Semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.