PSU Football
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News—Jan. 23, 2026
CFP Playoffs Remain at 12 Teams for 2026-27 Post-Season
The CFP Championship Post-season for 2026 will remain at 12 teams per the College Football Playoff Management Committee. There will be no expansion to 16 or more until at least the 2027 football season. Jan. 23 was the deadline set by ESPN, the playoff TV rightsholder, for any changes to the structure of the 2026 post-season.
But some new rules will be in place for the next CFP. Notre Dame gets an automatic at-large berth if it is ranked among the top 12 teams in the final CFP Poll. Also, the champions of the Power 4 conferences receive automatic bids regardless of their finish in the final CFP Poll. For example, if the 2026 rules applied to the just completed 2025 season, Notre Dame would have been in the playoff field in place of James Madison, and Duke, despite its record, would have replaced eventual runner-up Miami in the field due to the Blue Devils winning of the ACC Championship game.
Also, the NCAA Division One Cabinet has approved the use of commercial patches on uniforms, equipment and apparel in regular season and conference championship competitions. The maximum is two logos per uniform (or apparel) and one per piece of equipment. The new rule takes effect Aug. 1, 2026.
