SEC adopts nine-game football schedule amid playoff expansion talks

In the United States, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has made a significant decision to transition from an eight-game to a nine-game conference schedule beginning in 2026. This announcement follows years of discussions, engaging university presidents and athletic directors, and was finalized in a vote driven by the pursuit of increased revenue and pressures from the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee. The new schedule format aims not only to enhance the competitiveness of SEC football but also to maintain traditional rivalries while ensuring that teams can contend effectively in the playoff landscape. The SEC's alignment with a nine-game schedule follows the structure already in place within other major conferences, such as the Big Ten and Big 12, which currently operate with nine conference games. The SEC’s new framework will see each team play three annual opponents, designed to uphold longstanding rivalries, while the remaining six games will rotate among other conference teams. Importantly, every team will compete against every other member in the conference over a four-year cycle, ensuring a fairer distribution of matchups. One of the driving forces behind this scheduling change is the forthcoming alteration in the College Football Playoff structure. Recent discussions among conference leaders, particularly between the Big Ten and SEC, indicated a need for a competitive format that accommodates expansion to possibly 24 or 28 teams. The SEC’s decision is seen as a crucial step in positioning its teams favorably for any future playoff expansions. As the SEC implements this new schedule, the conference leadership believes it will attract more attention and provide a more compelling experience for fans and participants alike. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated that the new format underscores the conference’s commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in college athletics while maintaining traditional rivalries and ensuring SEC teams are prepared to excel in the playoff format. The decision reflects broader trends in college athletics, where increased competition and financial incentives continue to shape the landscape of college football.