SEC-Big Ten Stalemate Keeps College Football Playoff at 12 Teams Until 2026

The College Football Playoff (CFP) will maintain a 12-team format through the 2026 season. This decision stems from an ongoing impasse between the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big Ten, which has persisted since spring 2025. CFP officials are expected to release a formal announcement confirming this after discussions failed to find common ground.

Background on Playoff Expansion Talks

Negotiations around the playoff’s expansion have been extensive, with SEC and Big Ten leaders unable to reach a consensus on a new structure. Initially, there was a proposal that aimed to allocate multiple automatic bids to each of the Power 4 conferences. However, the SEC stepped back from these discussions, intensifying the stalemate.

The deadline for informing ESPN about the playoff format for 2026 was Friday. This date followed a seven-week extension from an earlier December 1 deadline. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey held a final call the day before, but they could not resolve their differences.

Current Format and Changes Ahead

As the playoff structure stands for the upcoming seasons, the first two years of the 12-team format allowed for five spots reserved for the selection committee’s top-ranked conference champions. This led to opportunities for Group of 5 teams to compete, as seen with Tulane and James Madison’s participation.

• Power 4 Champions: Starting next year, automatic entries will be reserved for the Power 4 conference champions.
• Guaranteed Spots: Independent Notre Dame will secure a spot if it is ranked within the committee’s top 12.
• At-Large Bids: There will still be seven at-large spots available.

Future Discussions on Expansion

While the current format will remain for the 2026 season, conversations about the playoff’s future will continue. The SEC favors a 16-team playoff that uses a selection committee similar to the current model. Conversely, the Big Ten proposed a more ambitious 24-team structure but faced resistance from other leagues.

• SEC Interests: The SEC continues to advocate for a structure that would enhance its competitive advantage.
• Big Ten Proposals: The Big Ten’s last formal suggestion included a 24-team model with recognition of equal bids for conferences.

Impacts and Considerations

The disagreement over playoff formats has broader implications for college sports, impacting revenue distribution and competitive dynamics among conferences. As the situation stands, each conference holds significant weight in deciding future expansions while also balancing individual interests.

In conclusion, college football will retain its 12-team Playoff system through 2026. Until then, constant evaluations and discussions among the conferences will shape the path forward for the sport’s postseason structure.