SALT LAKE CITY – The Pac-12 Conference announced a big change to the league’s title game for football starting in the 2022 season.

The league announced the new format shortly after a major update by the NCAA on Wednesday, May 18.

Shortly before the Pac-12’s announcement, the NCAA provided an update on FBS title game participants.

“Division I Council relaxes restrictions for FBS football conference championship games; FBS conferences to determine their championship game participants. All Council actions are not final until today’s meeting ends,” the NCAA tweeted.

Division I Council relaxes restrictions for FBS football conference championship games; FBS conferences to determine their championship game participants. All Council actions are not final until today’s meeting ends. pic.twitter.com/cHjD4nfVle

— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) May 18, 2022

A few minutes later, the Pac-12 said that the league would move to a format where the two teams with the best winning percentage would play in the conference’s championship game. In the past, the Pac-12 South and North division leaders played in the title game.

“Our goal is to place our two best teams in our Pac-12 Football Championship Game, which we believe will provide our conference with the best opportunity to optimize CFP invitations and ultimately win national championships,” said Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff. “Today’s decision is an important step towards that goal and immediately increases both fan interest in, and the media value of, our Football Championship Game.”

NEWS: We've announced a change to the #Pac12FCG format. 🏈

Starting in 2022, the two teams with the highest conference winning percentage will face off in the championship game.#Pac12FBhttps://t.co/Beg01ZV4od

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) May 18, 2022

The league said the change would have resulted in a different title game matchup in five of the last 11 championship games.

Here is a breakdown showing how some of the previous title games would have featured different schools under the new format:

What previous P12 Championship games would have looked like under these new rules pic.twitter.com/VX3owwvyLj

— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) May 18, 2022

The 2022 Pac-12 football title game will take place on December 2.

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