College Football Playoff reportedly near deal to expand to 24 teams in 2027

The reports describe the prospective change as a doubling of the current 12‑team format and indicate that negotiations are still ongoing, with no official announcement yet released by the playoff’s governing body. Coverage of the story appears across Bloomberg, The Mercury News, CBS Sports, ESPN and Yahoo Sports, each highlighting a different facet of the alleged deal. Bloomberg’s headline stresses a near‑deal to double the playoff size, while The Mercury News adds that the 24‑team field is slated for “next season” unless a last‑minute glitch occurs. CBS Sports frames the discussion by asking how a 24‑team bracket would have been structured for the most recent season, and ESPN cites unnamed sources confirming a 24‑team format for 2027.

Yahoo Sports repeats the core claim of a near deal to expand to 24 teams. The proposed expansion follows a decade of evolution in the college football postseason. Doubling the field would increase the number of automatic qualifiers and at‑large selections, reshaping conference championship implications and bowl game alignments. While the reports do not elaborate on the motivations, the scale of the change signals a major shift in the sport’s championship structure.

Observers should monitor for an official statement from the College Football Playoff committee confirming the expansion details, including the final bracket design and selection criteria. The Mercury News’ reference to a possible “last‑minute glitch” implies that contractual or logistical hurdles could still affect implementation. Follow‑up reporting from the same outlets and reactions from conference officials and broadcast partners will clarify the timeline and any adjustments required before the 2027 season begins.