Sankey Advocates Bowl Game Inclusion in College Football playoff

Updated May 30, 2025

DESTIN, Fla.— ⁢Despite the success of ‍first-round home games in the expanded College Football Playoff, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated Wednesday ‍that bowl games should ⁢remain a key part of the championship‍ structure.Sankey made his remarks following ⁤the second day of the conference’s⁣ spring meetings.

Sankey anticipates early playoff rounds will continue on campus. However, he noted logistical considerations support the continued involvement⁣ of bowls in later rounds of the College Football Playoff.Further details are ‍expected.

Last fall, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State and Notre Dame hosted and won ‍their ⁢first-round⁤ games by meaningful margins.These games drew nearly 400,000 fans, according to attendance figures.

Chris Del Conte, ⁣athletic director for Texas, saeid he⁤ supports more home games in⁣ future rounds. He cited fan convenience and affordability as key factors. “I’m all-in on ⁢that action,” Del Conte ⁣said.

Del conte noted‍ the burden on fans regarding travel⁣ costs and ticket prices. He drew a comparison to the ‍NFL’s home-field advantage for higher-ranked teams. ‍He lauded⁤ the experience of hosting Clemson at home. Del Conte acknowledged the‍ transition from the customary bowl system requires patience.

the ‍12-team playoff format remains this fall, with higher seeds hosting first-round matchups.⁤ A straight seeding format will award byes to the selection committee’s top four teams, a change from last⁤ year’s system⁢ favoring conference champions.

This season’s Rose Bowl Game will kick off at 4 p.m. ET, an hour earlier than⁣ usual, as part of a New Year’s⁢ Day tripleheader on ESPN. The Capital One Orange Bowl (noon ET) and the Allstate Sugar bowl (8 p.m. ET) will also be played on New Year’s Day.

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic,a quarterfinal,is set for 7:30 p.m. ET⁢ on New Year’s Eve (ESPN). The VRBO Fiesta Bowl (semifinal) will be ⁢Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), followed by the chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (semifinal) on Jan. 9‍ at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).

what’s next

The SEC will continue discussions regarding⁤ the College Football Playoff format, balancing⁤ the benefits of‍ on-campus games with the tradition and infrastructure of bowl games.