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The Associated Press. (2026, November 6). ESPN and CFP enter final review stage in bid to expand college football playoffs to 24 teams. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/espn-and-cfp-enter-final-review-stage-in-bid-to-expand-college-football-playoffs-to-24-teams/article_f888c204-a49e-587b-a0a9-808acad9206f.html
The Associated Press. “ESPN and CFP enter final review stage in bid to expand college football playoffs to 24 teams.” Toronto Star, 6 Nov. 2026, https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/espn-and-cfp-enter-final-review-stage-in-bid-to-expand-college-football-playoffs-to-24-teams/article_f888c204-a49e-587b-a0a9-808acad9206f.html.
The Associated Press. “ESPN and CFP enter final review stage in bid to expand college football playoffs to 24 teams.” Toronto Star, November 6, 2026. https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/espn-and-cfp-enter-final-review-stage-in-bid-to-expand-college-football-playoffs-to-24-teams/article_f888c204-a49e-587b-a0a9-808acad9206f.html.
Dated from the outlet's own feed. Check the original for its byline.
As of November 6, 2026, ESPN and the College Football Playoff (CFP) are nearing completion of their final review stage regarding an agreement to expand the playoff field from 12 to 24 teams for next year. The CFP announced that though no timeline was provided, a formal decision on the deal would follow this review period. ESPN previously offered an additional annual payment of $345 million to support the expansion, which would see the first two rounds played at college campuses with top eight teams receiving byes. Major bowls would continue hosting quarterfinals and semifinals leading up to the championship game in late January. The deal aims to compensate major conferences for losses incurred from eliminating their respective title games under a nine-figure annual media rights arrangement, part of an existing $7.8 billion six-year contract beginning this year.