ESPN has announced it will continue as the exclusive, worldwide rightsholder to college football’s premier postseason event through to the 2031/32 season.
The broadcaster reached an agreement with College Football Playoff (CFP) to ensure that ESPN will remain the exclusive home of the CFP, which it has been since its inception in 2015.
As part of its continued coverage, ESPN will expand its current package for the final two years (through the 2025/26 season), adding all four of the new First Round games each year to ESPN’s existing New Year’s Six (now Quarterfinals and Semifinals) and the CFP National Championship rights in the new 12-team playoff that will launch in Autumn.
Additionally, the sports broadcaster has secured a new six-year deal – beginning in the 2026/27 season – for the entire CFP, which includes exclusive rights to all rounds of the expanded playoff as well as continued exclusive rights to all ancillary programming connected to the playoff
Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN Chairman, said: “ESPN has worked very closely with the College Football Playoff over the past decade to build one of the most prominent events in American sports. We look forward to enhancing our valued relationship over the next two years, and then continuing it for six more as we embark on this new, expanded playoff era.
“This agreement further solidifies ESPN as the home of college football, as well as the destination for the vast majority of major college championships for the next eight years.”
Another new feature of the deal is, ESPN will broadcast the CFP National Championship on ABC in addition to offering its signature MegaCast presentation across ESPN platforms, with the agreement including expansive rights to simulcast or MegaCast CFP games across all Walt Disney Company platforms, including TWDC Direct-to-Consumer offerings.
Disney will also be provided additional sales and sponsorship opportunities, cementing Disney Advertising as the exclusive seller of the College Football Playoff Official Partner Program
Bill Hancock, CFP Executive Director, commented: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ESPN. 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.”
This deal marks the second significant college deal ESPN has been a part of this year, having signed an eight-year agreement with the NCAA to continue its 45-year commercial relationship with the organisation.
