ESPN locks in $1.7 billion deal to broadcast the expanded 24-team college football playoff
A new five-year contract ends conference championships and mandates a season ending on Thanksgiving weekend.
By Grace Almasi ·
ESPN secured the rights to a 24-team College Football Playoff starting with the 2027 season. The network signed a five-year deal on Monday, November 9, valued at nearly $1.7 billion. This financial commitment sits on top of a separate six-year, $7.8 billion agreement the two parties reached in March 2024. Under the new terms, ESPN will pay an additional $345 million each year.
The expansion doubles the number of participating schools compared to the 12-team format currently in use. The College Football Playoff organization stated that the decision aims to increase opportunities for FBS programs, student-athletes, and fan bases. The group also noted that new scheduling standards will push institutions to arrange more compelling non-conference matchups during the regular season.
The structural changes will reshape the college football calendar. The season will begin the week before Labor Day, a period traditionally known as Week Zero. The regular season will conclude on Thanksgiving weekend. The College Football Playoff committee is scheduled to announce the first 24-team field on November 28, 2027, the Sunday after that holiday.
Conference championship games for the Power Four leagues will end under this agreement. The playoff field will consist of four conference champions, 19 at-large selections, and the highest-ranked Group of Six team. Notre Dame, which operates as an independent, must rank high enough to earn an at-large berth. The Fighting Irish do not have a guaranteed entry into the tournament.
The tournament structure will feature 16 on-campus playoff games. The College Football Playoff said this format will bring the event to more local fans and provide a positive impact for campus communities. The top eight teams in the rankings will receive first-round byes. The first two rounds of games will be played at the home stadium of the higher seed.
The New Year's Six bowl games will host the quarterfinals and semifinals. These events include the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Peach, Orange, and Cotton bowls. The playoff will begin during the first full week of December. The national championship game is set for January 24, 2028, in New Orleans.
Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff, said the organization is committed to making the 24-team event spectacular for fans and stakeholders. Clark noted that the format will feature 23 games with 24 ranked teams competing for the national title. The organization aims to deliver a world-class championship experience under the new rules.
The annual Army-Navy game will remain a standalone event under the new terms. It will take place the week after other teams finish their regular seasons. The Heisman Trophy will be awarded later that night. The game will not affect College Football Playoff rankings if either team is selected for the tournament.
The current 12-team format will be used for the winter 2026 season. This tournament will mark the final year of the current structure before the expansion takes effect. The next major milestone is the selection of the 24-team field in late November 2027.
