IRVING, Texas – The College Football Playoff (CFP) Management Committee, comprised of the 10 FBS conference commissioners and the Director of Athletics at the University of Notre Dame, announced today it will continue the 12-team playoff format for the 2026-27 season. The decision provides additional time for evaluation and discussion on the current format and potential changes in the future.

Under the terms of the management committee's 2024 operating agreement, the 2026-27 season's format will feature 12 teams based on conference champions and final ranking by the CFP Selection Committee. First-round games will be played on campus sites, followed by quarterfinals and semifinals hosted by the CFP bowls, and the national championship game, which will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 25, 2027.

"After ongoing discussion about the 12-team playoff format, the decision was made to continue with the current structure," said Rich Clark, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff. "This will give the Management Committee additional time to review the 12-team format, so they can better assess the need for potential change. While they all agree the current format has brought more excitement to college football and has given more schools a real shot in the postseason, another year of evaluation will be helpful."

   
About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. Four Playoff First-Round games are played on host campuses, followed by the Playoff Quarterfinals and Playoff Semifinals, which 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 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.