The College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team format for at least the 2026-27 season after the Big Ten and SEC could not reach a consensus on expansion before Friday’s deadline. The SEC had pushed for a 16-team field, while the Big Ten sought 24 teams, but the conferences’ differences left the system at its current size.

The disagreement stemmed from competing philosophies: the Big Ten favored more automatic berths for conference champions, while the SEC preferred additional at-large spots to allow for marquee matchups. With no compromise reached, the default 12-team system will continue, featuring straight seeding, automatic berths for power conference champions, and an extra spot for Notre Dame if it finishes in the top 12.

Despite the stalemate on expansion, the CFP has made adjustments elsewhere. The ACC and SEC are moving from eight to nine conference games, and the selection committee has tweaked its metrics for ranking teams. Still, the looming possibility of future playoff growth—potentially to 16 or even 24 teams—has already prompted President Trump to sign an executive order granting the Army-Navy game an exclusive four-hour broadcast window, ensuring America’s most storied rivalry won’t be buried amid a crowded postseason schedule.

With expansion talks stalled for now, fans and programs will continue to navigate the high-stakes landscape of college football under the 12-team system, while the debate over a larger playoff continues behind the scenes.