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What is the College Football Playoff?

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is an annual tournament that determines the national champion of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the NCAA. The original format featured 4 teams, but it expanded to 12 teams with the 2024–25 season. To determine who qualifies, the CFP selection committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. Guaranteed bids are given to the five highest-ranked conference champions. The next seven ranked schools receive at-large bids. The four highest-ranked conference champions are then seeded and given a first-round bye. The remaining schools compete in first-round games, with the 5 through 8 seeds playing the teams ranked 9 through 12. The six original CFP bowls (Cotton, Fiesta, Orange, Peach, Rose, and Sugar) host the quarterfinals and semifinals and rotate annually. The national championship game is staged at a neutral site.