The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) will bring some exciting changes with the second year of the expanded 12-team format. The new structure means more teams, more games, and more action for fans to enjoy. As one of the most highly anticipated events in American sports, the CFP gives college football teams one final shot at a national championship. Whether you’re a seasoned college football fan or new to the sport, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the 2025-26 College Football Playoff: dates, TV broadcasts, and key matchups.
2025-26 College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) serves as the postseason for NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Historically, only four teams made it into the playoff, but starting in 2024, the CFP expanded to 12 teams. This expansion was designed to increase the excitement of the playoff by including more teams from different conferences and regions, giving more fans a chance to see their teams compete on a national stage.
The 2025-26 CFP will be the second season under this new 12-team format, and it’s shaping up to be a thrilling event. Teams from conferences like the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Pac-12 will be vying for a spot in the playoff, while a few surprise teams from Group of Five conferences might also make their mark. With so many teams and games, understanding the schedule, the TV broadcasts, and the key matchups is essential for fans.
Key Highlights
| Event | Date | Location | TV Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | December 19-20, 2025 | On-campus locations | ESPN |
| Quarterfinals | December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl | ESPN |
| Semifinals | January 8-9, 2026 | Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl | ESPN |
| National Championship | January 19, 2026 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens | ESPN |
For full details on the 2025-26 College Football Playoff schedule, visit the official College Football Playoff website.
How Does the 12-Team Format Work?
The 12-team College Football Playoff format is designed to give more teams a chance to compete for the national championship. Under the new system, the playoff consists of six automatic qualifiers and six at-large bids. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Automatic Qualifiers: The six highest-ranked conference champions automatically earn a spot in the playoff. This includes champions from the Power 5 conferences (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and Pac-12) and one spot for a Group of Five champion (a non-Power 5 conference).
- At-Large Bids: The remaining six spots are filled by at-large teams, which are selected based on their rankings. These teams can come from any conference, including the Power 5 and Group of Five conferences.
- Seeding and Matchups: The teams will be seeded based on their rankings, with the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye. The remaining eight teams will play in the first round, with the top four seeds playing the winners of those matchups.
The quarterfinals, semifinals, and national championship game will follow the first-round matchups, leading to the crowning of a new national champion.
Dates and TV Broadcast Schedule
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff schedule kicks off in December 2025. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates and games:
First Round
- Date: December 19-20, 2025
- Format: The first round will be played at on-campus locations. The top four seeds will receive a bye, and the other eight teams will play in this round.
- Broadcast: All first-round games will be broadcast on ESPN. The exact times and matchups will be determined once the teams are selected and seeded.
Quarterfinals
- Date: December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026
- Location:
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX)
- Rose Bowl Game (Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA)
- Capital One Orange Bowl (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL)
- Allstate Sugar Bowl (Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA)
- Broadcast: ESPN will provide coverage of all quarterfinal games.
Semifinals
- Date: January 8-9, 2026
- Location:
- Fiesta Bowl (State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ)
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA)
- Broadcast: ESPN will cover both semifinal matchups, setting the stage for the national championship game.
National Championship
- Date: January 19, 2026
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- Broadcast: ESPN will broadcast the national championship game, where the two semifinal winners will face off for the title.
Key Matchups and Teams to Watch
With the expanded format, there will be no shortage of exciting matchups. Here are some of the teams and conferences to watch during the 2025-26 College Football Playoff season:
SEC Powerhouses
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has been a dominant force in college football, producing multiple national champions. Teams like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU are expected to contend for a spot in the 2025-26 CFP. Georgia, in particular, will be looking to defend its national championship after a stellar 2024 season.
Big Ten Dominance
The Big Ten Conference is home to teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, all of which will be aiming for a playoff spot. The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is always a highlight, and the winner of this matchup could very well have a direct path to the playoff.
ACC Championship Contenders
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will be represented by Clemson and Florida State, two teams with a history of strong performances. Clemson, led by coach Dabo Swinney, has been a playoff mainstay and is always a contender for the championship.
Dark Horses and Group of Five Teams
The expanded playoff means that teams from the Group of Five (non-Power 5 conferences) have a legitimate shot at the title. Look for teams like Cincinnati, Tulane, and UCF to make some noise in the postseason. These teams may not have the same resources as the Power 5 programs, but they’ve been known to upset the odds and cause chaos in the playoff.
2025-26 College Football Playoff (FAQs)
1. How many teams are in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff?
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff will feature 12 teams in total. This includes six automatic qualifiers and six at-large bids.
2. What is the format for the first round?
The first round will consist of eight teams playing in on-campus games, with the top four teams receiving a bye. The winners of these matchups will advance to the quarterfinals.
3. When is the national championship game?
The national championship game will take place on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
