College Football Playoff nearing deal to expand to 24 teams

The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz confirms. The new format is slated to debut in 2027, but final approvals are still required.

The new format is expected to feature a "19+4+1" model with 19 at-large bids, four reserved for Power Four champions and one for the highest-rated Group of Six champ.

The 30-day negotiating window between the CFP and ESPN was set to close at the end of last week, but was extended when playoff officials activated a clause that gave the network five more business days to review the numbers.