CFP Changes Coming in 2026? What We Know So Far

The College Football Playoff is set to undergo changes in 2026. Here's what we know so far about seeding, conference title games, and more.

Can change happen next season?

To make any changes for next season, every conference and Notre Dame must unanimously agree to it. While the January meeting is so compressed, the FBS commissioners could schedule a separate virtual conversation next month for a more comprehensive review. If the commissioners agree to revise something, it probably wouldn't happen until the annual CFP spring meetings in April.

Could seeding change?

The most likely adjustment for 2025 could be the seeding. In the current structure, the five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots in the bracket, and the four highest-ranked champions earn the top four seeds and first-round byes. Another potential proposal is continuing to guarantee spots for the five highest-ranked conference champions but rewarding byes to the four highest-ranked teams. That means the 12-team bracket would look more like the selection committee's top-12 ranking.

How do the bowls and CFP continue to coexist?

There are some who would like to see two rounds of CFP home games, especially after the success of the first-round home games this fall. Bowl Season executive director Nick Carparelli said his organization is in favor of more playoff games in bowl games. While the former New Year's Six bowls have agreed in principle and desperately want to maintain their relationship with the CFP in 2026 and beyond, multiple sources have said the contracts haven't been signed yet.

What about conference title games? Committee criteria?

The commissioners are questioning the system they created. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips has questions about how the selection committee will treat teams that participate in their conference championship games moving forward. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said the starting point of conversations for him is the selection committee's slate of criteria.

What does 2026 and beyond look like?

The CFP leaders still have to determine their future governing model and how each league's votes will be weighed. The "elephant in the room" remains automatic qualifiers, and a push from the athletic directors and head coaches within the Big Ten and SEC for their respective commissioners to lobby for as many guaranteed postseason spots as they can get. One possible model that has been floated, though, is a 14-team format that could have three SEC teams, three Big Ten teams, two ACC teams, two Big 12 teams, one Group of 5 team and three at-large spots. While a 14-team bracket seems to have more support, a 16-team model has also previously been broached and could also garner consideration.