The College Football Playoff committee announced an agreement on the format for the 2024-25 season and beyond.
“This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” said Dr. Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University and Chair of the CFP Board of Managers. “I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.”
The original play for the ‘6+6’ model was officially scrapped once the Pac-12 lost 10 of their 12 members to the ACC, Big 12, and Big Ten conferences. Originally the Power Five champions earned an automatic bid with the highest-ranked group of five champions also earning a berth. The remaining spots would be awarded to six at-large bids.
The new format would award the power four champions (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC) with one final automatic bid going to the highest-ranked group of five champion and the remaining seven spots will be at-large bids.
Starting with the 2024 season, the top four conference champions will be ranked No. 1-No. 4 and will each receive first-round byes. The remaining eight teams will face off in the first round of the playoffs with the highest ranking team hosting the game. The winners will move on to face the top four seeds at the hosting team’s stadiums.
‘5+7’ CFP Format:
- No. 1 vs the winner of No. 8 vs No. 9
- No. 2 vs the winner of No. 7 vs No. 10
- No. 3 vs the winner of No. 6 vs No. 11
- No. 4 vs the winner of No. 5 vs No. 12
The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held in the New Years Six bowl games. The CFP national championship will be a neutral site game.