Current College Football Playoff Format

College football has been an integral part of American culture for decades. Every year, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) hosts a postseason knockout invitational tournament to determine the national champion. One of the exciting aspects of the sport is the College Football Playoff (CFP), an annual postseason tournament that crowns a national champion.

What Is College Football Playoff?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is a tournament that determines the national champion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). It is the highest level of college football competition in the United States. The CFP was first introduced in 2014, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), as the method of determining the national champion, and the 4-team playoff structure was replaced in 2024 with a 12-team playoff structure.

What Is College Football Playoff Format?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) format, starting from the 2024-25 season, involves a 12-team structure. The top five conference champions, determined by the CFP selection committee, receive guaranteed bids if their conference has at least eight members. The seven highest-ranked remaining teams earn spots in the playoffs. The four highest-ranked conference champions are seeded 1-4, receiving first-round byes, while teams seeded 5-12 compete in the first round at the higher seeds' home fields.

Prior to this format, from 2014 to 2023, the CFP featured a four-team playoff, with the top four teams selected by the CFP committee competing in the semifinals and the winners advancing to the national championship game.

What Is The Current College Football Playoff Format?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) format has expanded to include 12 teams starting from the 2024-25 season.

Here's a breakdown of the format:

1. Selection: The five highest-ranked conference champions, according to the CFP selection committee, receive guaranteed bids. To be eligible, a conference must have at least eight members. The seven highest-ranked remaining teams also earn playoff spots, potentially including additional conference champions.

2. Seeding: The four top-ranked conference champions are seeded 1-4 and enjoy first-round byes. The remaining teams are seeded 5-12 based on their rankings.

3. First Round: Teams seeded 5-12 compete in the first round, with the higher seeds hosting the games at their home fields or an alternate chosen venue. Matchups are structured as 5-12, 6-11, 7-10, and 8-9.

4. Quarterfinals: The four highest-ranked conference champions play in the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl, without reseeding.

5. Semifinals: Winners from the quarterfinals proceed to the semifinals, hosted by the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

6. Championship Game: The semifinal winners face off in the national championship game at a neutral site decided in advance.

7. Schedule: First-round games are held in December, with quarterfinals occurring around New Year’s Day. Semifinals take place at least a week later, followed by the championship game a week after the semifinals.

Venue of Current College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship venue is selected through a bidding process, similar to how other major sporting events are awarded. Cities and stadiums across the United States submit bids to host the championship game, showcasing their facilities, accommodations, and ability to handle large-scale events. The CFP committee evaluates these bids and chooses the most suitable location.