The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced on August 21, 2025, that it will transition to a nine-game conference football schedule starting in the 2026-27 season, a significant shift aimed at enhancing competitive rigor and aligning with the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee’s new metrics emphasizing strength of schedule. This move, approved by SEC presidents and chancellors following a recommendation from athletic directors, positions the SEC alongside the Big Ten and Big 12, which already play nine conference games, leaving the ACC as the only Power Four conference with an eight-game slate.
The decision comes as the CFP introduces a “record strength” metric for 2025, prioritizing victories over quality opponents while reducing penalties for losses against strong teams. This change incentivizes tougher schedules, and the SEC’s adoption of a ninth game is a strategic response to maximize playoff representation. “Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and ensures SEC teams are well-prepared to succeed in the College Football Playoff.”
Under the new format, each of the SEC’s 16 teams will face three permanent opponents to preserve traditional rivalries, such as Alabama-Auburn, while rotating through six other conference opponents annually. This structure guarantees that every SEC team plays each other at least once every two years and faces every opponent home and away within four years. Additionally, each team must schedule at least one non-conference game against a Power Four opponent (from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Notre Dame), reinforcing the SEC’s reputation for the nation’s toughest schedule.
The move to nine games addresses long-standing debates within the SEC, which has played eight conference games since 1992. The expansion is expected to generate an average of $5 million per school annually in additional media revenue, while also enhancing playoff prospects under the CFP’s new metrics. However, critics argue that the tougher schedule could risk more losses for mid-tier teams, potentially impacting bowl eligibility, which requires six wins.
The SEC’s decision may pressure the ACC to adopt a nine-game schedule to remain competitive in playoff evaluations, potentially standardizing Power Four conferences. This shift could also influence ongoing discussions about CFP expansion, with proposals like the “4-4-2-2-1” model—offering four automatic bids each to the SEC and Big Ten—gaining traction. For now, the SEC’s move strengthens its position as a leader in NCAA football, setting the stage for fiercer competition and heightened playoff contention starting in 2026.
