On Thursday December 1st, the tournament board of directors for The College Football Playoff unanimously approved the expansion of 12 teams for the 2024 season.
The expansion was initially approved back in September and the new format was set to begin in 2026 but the board had tasked the College Football Management Committee to try to implement the expansion earlier.
After a long and often contentious debate over the best way to improve the current system, this expansion will increase the number and variety of teams capable of winning the Bowl Subdivision national championship.
“We’re delighted to be moving forward,” said playoff executive director Bill Hancock. “A new era of college football is about to begin. I look forward to it.”
“More teams and more access mean more excitement for fans, alumni, students and student-athletes. We appreciate the leaders of the six bowl games and the two future national championship game host cities for their cooperation. Everyone realized that this change is in the best interest of college football and pulled together to make it happen.”
The national championship game is scheduled to be played in Atlanta in January 2025 and in Miami in January 2026.