Beginning in the 2024-2025 college football season, the playoff will now feature 12 teams.
It was announced Thursday the current model of the four-team playoff will transition to a 12-team playoff, starting in the fall of 2024.
“We’re delighted to be moving forward,” said Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff. “When the board expanded the playoff beginning in 2026 and asked the CFP Management Committee to examine the feasibility of starting the new format earlier, the Management Committee went right to work. More teams and more access mean more excitement for fans, alumni, students and student-athletes. We appreciate the leaders of the six bowl games and the two future national championship game host cities for their cooperation. Everyone realized that this change is in the best interest of college football and pulled together to make it happen.”
The top four seeds will receive a bye for the first round of the playoff, while the highest seeds ranked 5-12 will get to host a playoff game or choose a host site.
For the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the quarterfinals and semifinals will then be played at different bowl venues, with the National Championship being played in the third week of January.
“This is a great day for college football,” said Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University and chairman of the CFP Board of Managers. “I’m glad we are able to follow through and launch the expanded playoff early. It’s very exciting for schools, alumni and everyone involved.”
West Virginia University President Gordon Gee is on the CFP Board of Managers which is comprised of 11 members.
