How Many Teams in College Football Playoffs?

By Sarah Miller · January 16, 2044

The College Football Playoff (CFP) currently includes four teams, selected by a committee based on performance, strength of schedule, and other factors to compete in a single-elimination tournament for the national championship.

How the College Football Playoff Works

The College Football Playoff determines the national champion in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Unlike other college sports with larger brackets, the CFP uses a selective format to crown a champion.

Selection Process Overview

A 13-member selection committee evaluates teams weekly.
The top four teams are chosen after the regular season.
Winners advance to the National Championship Game.

History of the College Football Playoff Format

Introduced in 2014, the CFP replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The original four-team format aimed to create a more equitable method for determining the national champion through actual gameplay rather than polls or algorithms alone.

Key Milestones

2014–2023: Four-team playoff format.
2024–2025: Expansion to 12 teams officially begins.
Committee First Rankings: Released in November each year.

Upcoming Changes: The 12-Team Playoff (Starting 2024)

Beginning in the 2024 season, the College Football Playoff will expand from four to 12 teams, marking the biggest structural change in modern college football history.

New Format Details

The five highest-ranked conference champions receive automatic bids.
Seven at-large teams are selected by the committee.
Seeds 5–12 play in first-round “play-in” games.
The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate among New Year’s Six bowls.
The National Championship Game remains a standalone event.

Season	Format	Teams	Champion	Head Coach
2020	4-Team	4	Alabama	Nick Saban
2021	4-Team	4	Georgia	Kirby Smart
2022	4-Team	4	Georgia	Kirby Smart
2023	4-Team	4	Michigan	Jim Harbaugh
2024*	12-Team	12	TBD	TBD

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows consistency in the four-team model from 2020 to 2023, with power conference dominance. The 2024 expansion to 12 teams aims to increase access for Group of Five teams and reward conference success while maintaining elite competition integrity.

Why Expand to 12 Teams?

The shift to a 12-team playoff responds to long-standing criticism about exclusivity and limited access. Proponents argue it maintains excitement while offering more teams a realistic path to the title.

Benefits of the 12-Team Model

Greater inclusivity across conferences.
Preserves regular-season significance.
Increases competitive balance.
Boosts revenue and fan engagement.
Reduces controversy over left-out one-loss teams.

Frequently Asked Questions About the College Football Playoff

How many teams are in the college football playoffs in 2025?

In 2025, the College Football Playoff will feature 12 teams, continuing the expanded format that began in the 2024 season.

How are teams selected for the College Football Playoff?

Teams are selected by a 13-member committee using criteria such as win-loss record, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships. Starting in 2024, the top five highest-ranked conference champions earn automatic bids.

When did the College Football Playoff start?

The College Football Playoff began in the 2014 season, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system that relied on polls and computer rankings to determine the national champion.

What is the difference between the old and new CFP formats?

The original (2014–2023) format included only four teams. The new format (2024 onward) expands to 12 teams, adding first-round games and guaranteeing spots for top conference champions, increasing access and reducing selection controversies.

Which teams played in the 2024 College Football Playoff?

The 2024 College Football Playoff participants will be announced in December 2024, with the semifinals scheduled for January 2025. The field will include the top 12 teams as ranked by the CFP selection committee.