Atlanta, GA – The College Football Playoff (CFP) is ready to kick off a new chapter this season, introducing a groundbreaking 12-team format that promises to reshape the postseason landscape. Officially revealed on December 8, the 2024-25 bracket is setting the stage for an exciting playoff journey, culminating in the National Championship Game on January 20, 2025, at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This year marks the 11th season of the CFP, and the expansion to a 12-team format is expected to create more thrilling matchups and increased drama for college football fans. Previously, the postseason consisted of just four teams, which often led to complaints about deserving teams being left out. With this dramatic change, programs that traditionally didn’t get a shot at the championship can now compete for the coveted title.
CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock stated, “The 12-team format opens doors for deserving teams and builds the kind of energy fans have been asking for.” In the new setup, the top four highest-ranked teams will receive a bye to the second round, while seeds five through twelve will battle it out for a chance to continue their journey toward the championship.
After the first round takes place on December 20 and 21, the remaining teams will move on to the quarterfinals, which are scheduled for December 31 and January 2 at specific New Year’s Six bowl games. These matchups will double as playoff events, making New Year’s celebrations even more exhilarating for college football fans.
The playoff structure also maintains a method for tiebreakers, ensuring that a fair process is in place to determine a winner when games are tied after regulation. If teams cannot settle the score in the standard four quarters, they will head into overtime, with each team getting one possession starting from the opponent’s 25-yard line.
Among the top contenders this year, Texas enters as the No. 5 seed and is considered a strong candidate. Alabama, a powerhouse in college football, leads the pack with eight playoff appearances. Each team that reaches the National Championship Game stands to earn approximately $20 million, making the stakes higher than ever.
Overall, the 2024-25 season of the College Football Playoff is set to provide a more inclusive and competitive atmosphere, allowing fans to enjoy a broader range of teams striving for college football’s ultimate prize. As the playoffs begin, excitement is buzzing across the nation, and only time will tell which team will rise to the occasion.
