The College Football Playoff (CFP) and ESPN have finalized a five-year, $1.7 billion media rights agreement that will expand the playoff field to 24 teams. The deal, announced on November 9, 2026, secures ESPN's broadcast rights for the expanded format through the 2030 season.
The expansion represents a significant increase from the current four-team playoff structure. Financial terms of the agreement were reported by Forbes contributor Adam Zagoria, who noted the deal's value at $1.7 billion over five years.
The new format is expected to begin with the 2026 season, culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
