Expanded College Football Playoff to look dramatically different than current system

In 2026 — or possibly sooner — the College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams. However, it’ll look drastically different than the system the college football world has grown accustomed to, according to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.

In an article detailing the future of the College Football Playoff, Dellenger noted the changes that’ll likely come to fruition when expansion happens. Among them include midweek showdowns and home games for the higher seed, according the Dellenger.

First, Dellenger explained midweek games could be necessary due to television windows, along with avoiding competition with the NFL.

“Be prepared for first-round Playoff games to kick off on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Or maybe all three,” wrote Dellenger. “As Sports Illustrated has reported, this is expected. It’s something that CFP executive director Bill Hancock strongly suggested in a conversation with reporters Tuesday. Hancock said he’d be ‘surprised’ if all four first-round games were on a Saturday.

“That’s for at least two reasons: avoiding competing with the NFL, which begins regular-season games on Saturdays in mid-December; and television windows.”

Additionally, there are several ways the College Football Playoff committee is planning to go about it, as Dellenger laid out.

“Inside the room, discussions have centered around several possibilities, including holding one Playoff game each night Wednesday through Friday and then a Saturday afternoon Playoff game leading into the NFL games,” wrote Dellenger. “Or maybe you play two Thursday games, a Friday game and a Saturday. Or two Saturday games—one potentially competing against the NFL—and one each on Thursday or Friday.”

Moreover, aside from the possibility of midweek Playoff games, the idea of team’s hosting their showdowns leading up to the semifinals is one that got college football fans excited. According to Dellenger, that remains the case among the committee.

“There seems to be no sentiment to move the first-round games from on-campus stadiums to bowl sites. The topic did not arise during commissioners’ discussions on Tuesday, Hancock says. And most commissioners say privately they do not expect the first round to move from campuses,” wrote Dellenger.

“In fact, there is talk among many athletic directors to move the quarterfinals to campus sites, arguing that the top four seeds in the Playoff will never host a postseason game—opportunities that will be both a competitive advantage and a financial boon (though most if not all of the ticket revenue is expected to go toward the CFP).”

While the original plan called for only the opening round to be hosted by participating teams, it makes sense for the quarterfinals to be on campus, as well. If not, the higher seeds miss out on the opportunity for a home showdown, essentially punishing them for having a better season.

As you can see, there’s a bevy of exciting changes coming to the College Football Playoff, whether in 2026 or even sooner. Exhilarating times are on the horizon, and the changes will be here before you know it.