College Football Playoff to Expand to 24 Teams in 2027, ESPN Secures Broadcast Rights

College football’s postseason is set to double in size, with the playoff expanding from 12 to 24 teams in 2027. ESPN is poised to acquire the rights to the additional games after a meeting with playoff officials this week, a move that will bring the network’s coverage through 2031. The new bracket will feature 19 at‑large selections and five automatic qualifiers—one from each Power Four conference and one from a Group Six conference. The first two rounds will be played on campus sites, a change that could reshape the traditional bowl schedule. The expansion is expected to end conference championship games across the Power Four and Group Six and may force Big Ten teams to schedule more Power Four opponents.