It's going to take more time than expected for ESPN and the College Football Playoff (CFP) to come to an agreement on a possible format change in 2026. The entities are finalizing an agreement to push back the Dec. 1 deadline on the topic, allowing both sides additional time to continue working through a new playoff format for next season and beyond, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.
That extension is expected to last at least through January, per Dellenger.
ESPN and the CFP are finalizing an extension of the network's Dec. 1 format deadline, sources tell@YahooSports. This would give commissioners more time (at least thru January) to attempt to agree on a new playoff format for 2026.Commissioners have been at an impasse on format.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger)November 24, 2025
Power conference commissioners have debated the idea of expanding the CFP to feature as many as 24 teams. The debate over the CFP has lasted months, with the commissionersapparently no closer to a resolution. The agreement between the CFP and ESPN would give power conference commissioners at least through January to agree to a new format.
Despite the extension, however, it's expected the current format — in which 12 teams make the CFP —will continue in 2026, per Dellenger.
Conference commissioners are at odds over how many teams would make the expanded playoff. SEC officials have campaigned for 16 teams to make the playoff. Big Ten athletic directors have mentioned the possibility for 24 teams.
In addition to determining the number of teams involved, how those teams are selected is another significant obstacle. In the instance of the 16-team playoff, a 5+11 format has been proposed, which involves autobids being given to the five highest-ranked conference champions and at-large spots to 11 other teams.
A 24-team playoff could include a "4-4-4-4-2-6" format, per Dellenger. That would involve granting the same number of automatic qualifiers to each of the four power leagues. Two spots would be given to the best two teams within the six-non power leagues, with six at-large selections.
Under the current format, 12 teams make the CFP. Those 12 teams are made up of the "five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee, plus the next seven highest-ranked schools," per the CFP website.
If the conference commissioners cannot reach an agreement by the new deadline, the CFP will move forward with the 12-team format again in 2026.