The Athletic is reporting ESPN and the College Football Playoff have reached an extension agreement of six years at $1.3 billion per year. The report says the deal will make ESPN the home of the new 12-team tournament through the 2031-32 season. It also notes the deal is contingent on CFP leaders finalizing details of their new format following the implosion of the Pac-12. Meetings are scheduled for next week, and the deal won’t be ratified until a vote on the structure and financials of the new playoff arrangement.
The current agreement between ESPN and the College Football Playoff has two years remaining at $608 million per year, which includes the semifinals and championship along with the other four ‘New Year’s Six’ games.
Pete Thamel of ESPN had speculated about the $1.3 billion price tag last month. There has also been speculation ESPN could sell off some of the games if another network wanted to get involved, similar to how the NFL playoffs work.
The first round of the College Football Playoff in 2024 will happen the week ending Saturday, Dec. 21 at the home field of the higher seed. The matchups would be No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8.
For 2024 and 2025, the quarterfinal rounds and the semifinal games will be played at rotated bowls:
- 2024 quarterfinals: Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl
- 2024 semifinals: Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl
- 2025 quarterfinals: Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl
- 2025 semifinals: Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl
- 2024-25 season title game: Jan. 20, 2025 in Atlanta
- 2025-26 season title game: Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami
