College football's 12-team playoff format: Start date, rules, and more explored

College football is entering a whole new era in the upcoming 2024 season. There will be the introduction of a new format for the College Football Playoffs, which will now involve 12 teams instead of the usual four. This will ensure a more inclusive postseason participation.

With the expansion to 12 participants, questions arise about the integration of the current New Year's Day 6 bowls into this new format. Additionally, the process of determining which teams gain entry into the Playoffs and how they are ranked becomes a matter of significance.

Let’s explore everything that needs to be known about the new format of College Football Playoffs.

The new college football playoff format with 12 teams

The expansion of the College Football Playoffs was initially scheduled to commence in 2026, following the conclusion of the existing agreement. However, due to an agreement with the Rose Bowl, it can take place earlier.

The Fiesta, Peach, Cotton, and Orange bowls will alternate between hosting the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. In 2024, the Fiesta and Peach Bowls will host the quarterfinals, while the Orange and Cotton Bowls will host the semifinals. In 2025, this arrangement will be reversed.

On the other hand, the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl will be held during the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff in 2024 and 2025. Notably, the two bowl games will retain their traditional New Year's Day date. Notably, the playoffs' first round will feature no bowl game.

What is the format for the college football playoffs in 2024?

Under the College Football Playoff 12-team format, the team involved will be the top six conference champions and six highest-rated at-large teams. The ordering of teams will be determined based on their positions in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The top four teams in the ranking will enjoy a bye in the first round of the playoffs, while seeds 5-8 will host home playoff games against seeds 9-12. After these matchups, the remaining eight teams will face off in the New Year's Day 6 bowls.

Also, the No. 1-ranked team will have the privilege of selecting the location for its quarterfinal matchup. Afterward, the No. 2 team will choose its venue, followed by the No. 3 team. The No. 4 team will be automatically assigned to the remaining bowl for the quarterfinals.

The team with the highest ranking among the semifinalists will also have the privilege of selecting its preferred bowl. The College Football Playoff championship game will continue to be staged at a neutral site.