Overview
- ESPN’s Heather Dinich reports growing support to expand from 12 to 16 teams as early as 2026, contingent on an agreement by Jan. 23 between SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti.
- According to that reporting, the Big Ten’s support for a 16-team field in 2026 depends on the SEC committing now to move to a 24-team playoff within two to three years.
- Sources indicate Sankey backs a 16-team bracket but resists pre-committing to 24 teams, though a 24-team model without automatic bids could be more acceptable to the SEC.
- Under the CFP’s revised governance, Petitti and Sankey can set the format without a full Board of Managers vote, making their talks decisive for the next playoff cycle.
- Bowl Season’s director says the system can adapt despite uncertainty over team availability in a larger playoff and notes that non-CFP bowl viewership rose last season.