The 2025-2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) marks the second year of the expanded 12-team format, completely reshaping the road to the national championship.
Defined by on-campus playoff games, an end to automatic byes for conference champions, and intense debate over future expansion, this is the most inclusive and arguably the most chaotic tournament in college football history. We detail the structure, key dates, and the major changes driving the postseason dynamic.
6 Key Facts and Changes in the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff
Format Remains 12 Teams (for now): Despite intense internal debate among commissioners for expansion to 14 or 16 teams, the 2025-2026 CFP is expected to retain the 12-team format due to new contract deadlines and logistical challenges.
Seeding Formula: The 12-team field includes the five highest-ranked conference champions (guaranteed bids), plus the seven highest-ranked remaining at-large teams. The CFP Selection Committee determines all rankings and seeding.
Four Byes Go to Top-Ranked Teams: A major change from the inaugural year: the four highest-ranked teams overall in the final CFP rankings receive a first-round bye. Winning a conference championship no longer guarantees a bye, putting more weight on overall resume strength.
On-Campus First Round Games: The first round features seeds 5 through 12 playing against each other. These games are uniquely hosted on the campus of the higher-seeded team (or a venue of their choosing), creating true home-field environments never before seen in the playoff.
New Year's Six Bowl Rotation: The traditional New Year's Six (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Peach, Orange, Cotton) now serve as the quarterfinal and semifinal sites. For the 2025-2026 season, the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl are scheduled to host the two Semifinal games.
National Championship in Miami: The season culminates in the CFP National Championship Game on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, marking the second time the game will be hosted there in the CFP era.
Summary:
The 2025-2026 College Football Playoff retains the 12-team structure, rewarding the top four teams with first-round byes and ensuring five conference champions make the field. The excitement is amplified by high-stakes on-campus first-round games leading up to the championship in Miami.
