Background on the Deadline Extension

The College Football Playoff announced that it has pushed its original December 1 deadline to January 23, 2026. This extension was reached in partnership with ESPN, which holds the broadcasting rights for the postseason. The additional time allows commissioners from the power conferences to continue negotiating the structure of the playoff for the 2026 season and beyond.

The delay highlights how far apart conference leaders remain on several core issues. While expansion is expected in some form, the details surrounding the size of the field and the selection process have created long standing disagreements.

Why the Format Is Still Undecided

The biggest debate centers on the number of teams that should compete in the future playoff. Leaders across the sport remain split between a 16 team model and a much larger 24 team concept.

SEC officials have been strong supporters of a 16 team field. One structure under discussion is a 5 plus 11 model where the five highest ranked conference champions receive automatic bids and the remaining spots go to the next 11 highest ranked teams.

Some Big Ten athletic directors have floated a 24 team playoff. One proposal includes a 4-4-4-4-2-6 format. That model evenly distributes four automatic qualifiers to each of the four power conferences. Two automatic bids would go to top teams from the six non power leagues, while six at large spots would round out the field.

These differences represent two contrasting philosophies. The smaller format protects selectivity and competitive balance while the larger format emphasizes access and revenue opportunities across more leagues.

How Teams Would Be Selected

Another major obstacle is the question of how teams earn their way into the playoff. Even within the proposed 16 team model, the number of automatic bids and at large positions remains a key negotiating point. Conferences are pushing for systems that protect their champions while also providing pathways for highly ranked teams that do not win their leagues.

The 24 team concept expands access but requires far more coordination across leagues to determine how automatic bids are allocated. It would also require adjusting the calendar and infrastructure to support a much longer playoff.

What This Means for the 2026 Season

Despite months of discussion, no consensus has emerged. Because of this, many officials now expect the current 12 team playoff format to remain in place for the 2026 season. Under the current model, the field includes the five highest ranked conference champions and seven at large selections based on rankings from the CFP selection committee.

If commissioners cannot reach a final agreement by the new January deadline, the 12 team format will automatically carry over into the next season.

The Road Ahead

The deadline extension shows that expansion talks are still active but far from settled. Conferences will continue to negotiate throughout the coming months as they work to find a structure that meets competitive, financial, and logistical priorities. The next eight weeks will be critical in determining whether the sport moves toward a larger playoff or maintains a more compact field.

The final decision will shape the future of college football and set the foundation for the postseason model that fans, athletes, and conferences will follow for years to come.