The College Football Playoff is officially expanding to a 12-team format beginning in 2024, as was announced on Thursday. This is a development that has long been awaited and has largely been received well with the controversy that has surrounded a team getting into the mix over recent years.

“This is a great day for college football,” said Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University and chairman of the CFP Board of Managers. “I’m glad we are able to follow through and launch the expanded playoff early. It’s very exciting for schools, alumni and everyone involved.”

For the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the four quarterfinal games and two Playoff Semifinal games will be played in bowls on a rotating basis.

The 2024 quarterfinals will be played in the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, while the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl will host the Playoff Semifinals. The 2025 quarterfinals will consist of the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, while the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl will host the Playoff Semifinals.

Dates for the quarterfinal and semifinal games will be announced at another date in the future. The national championship contests are set for January 20, 2025, in Atlanta, and January 19, 2026, in Miami.