The 2025–26 College Football Playoff (CFP) continues the expanded 12-team format, delivering more games, on-campus first-round matchups, and a loaded postseason slate that runs from December through January. Below is the full College Football Playoff schedule, including dates, kickoff times, TV networks, bowl sites, and the national championship location.
College Football Playoff First Round Schedule (On-Campus Games)
The CFP first round features four on-campus playoff games, giving higher-seeded teams a major home-field advantage.
Friday, December 19, 2025
- No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma
8:00 PM ET | ABC / ESPN
Saturday, December 20, 2025
- No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M
12:00 PM ET | ABC / ESPN - No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss
3:30 PM ET | TNT / truTV - No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon
7:30 PM ET | TNT / truTV
These games mark the opening weekend of the College Football Playoff and often produce the most dramatic upsets of the postseason.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Schedule (New Year’s Bowls)
The quarterfinal round aligns with the traditional New Year’s Six bowl games, split across New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl – Arlington, TX
Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Orange Bowl – Miami Gardens, FL
- Rose Bowl – Pasadena, CA
- Sugar Bowl – New Orleans, LA
These games determine which four teams advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
College Football Playoff Semifinals Schedule
The CFP semifinals will be played at two major bowl sites with primetime coverage.
- Thursday, January 8, 2026: Fiesta Bowl – Glendale, AZ
7:30 PM ET | ESPN - Friday, January 9, 2026: Peach Bowl – Atlanta, GA
7:30 PM ET | ESPN
College Football Playoff National Championship Game
- Monday, January 19, 2026: CFP National Championship Game
Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, FL
7:30 PM ET | ESPN
The title game returns to South Florida, where college football’s two remaining teams will compete for the national championship in front of a global audience.
What Makes the 2025–26 CFP Unique
- Expanded 12-team playoff format
- On-campus first-round games
- More national TV windows across ESPN, ABC, TNT, and truTV
- Iconic bowl venues paired with modern playoff stakes
- A championship game hosted in one of college football’s premier destinations
Final Thoughts
The 2025–26 College Football Playoff schedule delivers wall-to-wall postseason football, combining historic bowl games with a modern playoff structure. From December’s on-campus clashes to January’s national championship showdown in Miami, this CFP season is built for maximum drama, viewership, and competitive balance.
For updated rankings, bracket projections, and broadcast details, stay tuned as Selection Sunday approaches.