The expanded 14-team College Football Playoff delivered the most-watched championship game in history, with 42 million viewers tuning in to watch Ohio State defeat Texas 31-24 in Atlanta.

Ratings Triumph

The expanded format exceeded all viewership projections, with first-round games averaging 18 million viewers. Total playoff revenue exceeded $3 billion, with each participating school receiving $25 million minimum.

Format Success

The 14-team format created compelling Cinderella stories, with unranked Boise State reaching the semifinals before falling to Ohio State.