Big Ten to end conference championship football game after 2026 season

The Big Ten Conference announced it will discontinue its annual football championship game following this season's contest, citing the upcoming expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams beginning in 2027. Commissioner Tony Petitti credited the City of Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium, and fans for making the game a prominent event since its launch in 2011. The final game, sponsored by Discover, is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will air on Fox. Ohio State holds the records for most appearances and most wins in the game's history, according to the report.

Ohio State has the most appearances, with seven, and the most wins, with five.
From Yahoo Sports college football

Why it matters

For brands: Sponsors and partners tied to the Big Ten Championship Game will need to reassess their college football postseason activations.

For media: Fox loses a recurring marquee Big Ten broadcast property after the 2026 game.

For athletes: College football players in the Big Ten will no longer have a conference title game as a stepping stone, with the CFP expansion changing the postseason path.

Read the full story at Yahoo Sports college football

Sources

Yahoo Sports college football: Big Ten announces end of Championship Football Game
Yahoo Sports: SEC championship game comes to an end after 35 years
Yahoo Sports college football: CFP executive director acknowledges fans’ concerns before finalizing 24-team expansion
Yahoo Sports college football: Power Four conference championships to cease next year as CFP expands to 24 teams

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