SEC to Implement 9-Game CFB Conference Schedule Starting in 2026 amid CFP Debate

The SEC will implement a nine-game conference schedule for college football starting with the 2026 season, the conference announced Thursday.

The SEC has used an eight-game conference schedule since 1992.

The change could benefit schools within the conference fighting for College Football Playoff spots, as the CFP announced Wednesday that "enhancements to the tools that the selection committee uses to assess schedule strength and how teams perform against their schedule" will start with the 2025-26 season.

The nine-game SEC schedule for each school will include three consistent annual opponents and six rotating games among the remaining conference schools. The schedule will be made so that each team within the conference faces off at least once every two years.

"Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities' commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. "This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff."

The change could result in more SEC schools potentially making a playoff appearance under the new CFP guidelines, as only three teams from the conference earned spots in last season's 12-team playoff.

While the nine-game schedule format against conference foes has already been used by the Big Ten and Big 12, the SEC's decision could still have a ripple effect across the college football landscape.

ACC leaders previously said that they would likely follow suit if the SEC moved to a nine-game conference schedule, per Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

With the CFP evaluation changing, the SEC will also adopt a new schedule once the 2025 season comes to an end.