The College Football Playoff is staying with ESPN as its exclusive media rights holder.

On Tuesday, the CFP announced a 6-year extension of its deal with ESPN to be the exclusive media rights holder through the 2031-32 season. Two years remain on the original 12-year agreement for the 4-team Playoff and New Year’s Six bowl games. The new deal adds the 4 new first-round CFP games to ESPN’s lineup.

“We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ESPN,” said CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock in a released statement. “It’s a significant day for the CFP and for the future of college football. The depth of coverage that ESPN gives to the sport throughout the season is second to none. There is no better platform to showcase this iconic championship as we move into the new 12-team format because ESPN’s people love college football every bit as much as we all do.”

The 6-year extension begins with the 2026-27 season. The CFP’s announcement did not disclose financial terms. The Athletic has reported that ESPN is paying $1.3 billion annually for the CFP rights.

The report with the $1.3 billion figure states that the Big Ten and SEC will receive more than $21 million per school. ACC schools would receive around $13 million, with Big 12 schools receiving around $12 million.

Get in the game! Check out the best online sportsbooks to bet on March Madness, CFB futures and more!

Changes with the new deal

While the CFP stays with ESPN under the new deal, there are a couple of noteworthy changes.

Under the original deal, all CFP/NY6 games have aired on ESPN. Starting in 2026-27, the College Football Playoff National Championship will be broadcast on ABC. With the Disney relationship, it will still be an ESPN production, but give fans an over-the-air viewing option in addition to ESPN’s MegaCast.

It is being reported that additional games will also be made available over the air.

The new deal opens the door for CFP games to be broadcast on other networks via sublicensing.

“In both the amended two-year agreement and new six-year extension, the CFP provides ESPN with the right to sublicense a select number of games.”

It’s not immediately clear if it would make financial sense for ESPN to sublicense, but this means a Playoff game could be coming to CBS, NBC or FOX in the near future. Sorry, SEC fans, you might not be done with Gary Danielson after all.