As the 2025 college football season enters December, the bowl picture is set - and for Team IP, that means the merchandising engine is kicking into high gear. With the College Football Playoff (CFP) expanding and our portfolio growing, the demand for exclusive, high-quality event apparel and souvenirs is set to be bigger than ever.


Industry Update: CFP Expansion Drives Demand

The move to an expanded CFP format is a game-changer for the merchandising industry. More playoff games mean a greater number of high-stakes events, driving increased fan travel and elevated excitement. This expansion directly translates into a significant boost in sales opportunities for our exclusive product lines.

???? Selection Analysis & Projections

The 2025-2026 postseason marks the second year of the 12-team CFP, and the selection process has undergone a key refinement:

            •           Byes for the Best Four: The four highest-ranked teams overall will now receive first-round byes, regardless of whether they won their conference. This rewards the strongest teams and creates a clearer top tier for our marketing efforts.

            •           The Power of the P5+1: The format guarantees bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus seven at-large teams. This year's key projection revolves around which teams land the coveted home-field advantage (seeds 5-8) for the First Round matchups, as these on-campus games dramatically boost localized merchandise demand.

            •           Predictive Outlook: Early predictions suggest a robust field dominated by the SEC and Big Ten, with projections placing top teams like Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama among the favorites for the top-four byes. The presence of at-large contenders like Notre Dame and high-ranking Group of Five champions (e.g., USF) will generate exciting, geographically diverse matchups.


Team IP’s Massive 2025-2026 Bowl Game Portfolio

Team IP is proud to hold the largest market share in college football bowl merchandising. Our established relationships place us at the heart of the postseason experience every year - making us the King of Merch!