Report: Playoff field to remain at 12 teams in 2026

Field Level Media|published: Fri 23rd January, 11:32 2026

Indiana's Elijah Sarratt (13) watches as Ferenando Mendoza (15) raises the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

The College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team field for a third straight season in 2026, ESPN reported Friday.

Efforts to expand the field stalled due to an ongoing stalemate between the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten, according to the report.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey wants a 16-team format. Big Ten counterpart Tony Petitti will only support that if the SEC commits to a 24-team model after three years, but multiple sources told ESPN that Sankey is not ready to go there yet.

Although the field is not expanding in 2026, there will be some changes to the way schools are selected.

The Power 4 conference champions (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC) will be guaranteed spots in the 12-team bracket, along with the highest-ranked conference champ from the Group of 6 (American Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West, Sun Belt and the Pac-12). Independent Notre Dame also will be included if it finishes in the selection committee's top 12.

ACC champion Duke and Notre Dame would both have qualified for CFP spots this season if those rules had been in place, while Miami -- which lost to No. 1 Indiana in Monday's title game -- would have been excluded.

--Field Level Media