ESPN, College Football Playoff finalizing extension of format deadline past December 1

On3’s own Brett McMurphy reported ESPN and the College Football Playoff are finalizing an extension of their format deadline. They’ll have until, at least, through January to decide on a potential new format for next season.

Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger provided more context to the movement of the deadline. It includes the Big Ten’s proposal of a 24-team playoff model as executives at least agreed to further explore formats beyond the current 12-team structure.

“ESPN and the CFP are finalizing an extension of the network’s Dec. 1 format deadline, sources tell Yahoo Sports,” Dellenger wrote on Twitter. “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. The power conference commissioners last met about a future playoff format last Monday in Charlotte, where the Big Ten presented a 24-team model. Executives agreed to keep further exploring formats beyond 12. SEC officials, as they have said publicly, support 16.

“For about two months now, the Big Ten has socialized a 24-team concept that would grant 4 AQs to each of the four power leagues, 2 to the highest-ranked two non-power league champions and 6 at-large selections – a 4-4-4-4-2-6 concept … However, those from the SEC – both its commissioner and university presidents – have publicly pushed back against such a model in favor of a 16-team format with 5 total AQs and 11 at-large selections. The SEC and Big Ten must agree for a new format to be adopted.”

The current expectation regarding next year’s College Football Playoff is that it will remain unchanged. The 12-team format is likely here to stay for at least one more season.

Under the current rules, the five conference champions ranked highest in the CFP rankings receive automatic CFP bids. However, some conferences, especially the Big Ten, are pushing to automatically receive a set number of bids.