The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) will introduce its second season utilizing a 12-team format. Key dates, matchups, and locations were revealed on Sunday, December 7. The playoff rounds are scheduled from December 19, 2025, to January 19, 2026.
2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule
The College Football Playoff features a series of games leading up to the National Championship. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:
First Round Matches
- December 19, 2025: First round games
- December 20, 2025: First round games continued
Quarterfinals
- December 31, 2025:
- No. 2 Ohio State vs. Winner of No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami (Fla.) — Cotton Bowl, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
- January 1, 2026:
- No. 4 Texas Tech vs. Winner of No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison — Orange Bowl, 12 p.m., ESPN
- No. 1 Indiana vs. Winner of No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama — Rose Bowl, 4 p.m., ESPN
- No. 3 Georgia vs. Winner of No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane — Sugar Bowl, 8 p.m., ESPN
Semifinals
- January 8, 2026:
- Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
- January 9, 2026:
- Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
National Championship Game
The CFP National Championship will be held on January 19, 2026. The venue for this pivotal game is Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m., broadcasted on ESPN.
History of the College Football Playoff National Championship
Looking back at previous championship games provides insight into the evolution of the CFP:
| Year | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ohio State | 42 – 20 | Arlington, TX |
| 2016 | Alabama | 45 – 40 | Glendale, AZ |
| 2017 | Clemson | 35 – 31 | Tampa, FL |
| 2018 | Alabama | 26 – 23 | Atlanta, GA |
| 2019 | Clemson | 44 – 16 | Santa Clara, CA |
| 2020 | LSU | 42 – 25 | New Orleans, LA |
| 2021 | Alabama | 52 – 24 | Miami Gardens, FL |
| 2022 | Georgia | 33 – 18 | Indianapolis, IN |
| 2023 | Georgia | 65 – 7 | Inglewood, CA |
| 2024 | Michigan | 34 – 13 | Houston, TX |
| 2025 | Ohio State | 34 – 23 | Atlanta, GA |
Future Championship Locations
Anticipated locations for upcoming CFP National Championship games are as follows:
- 2026: January 19 — Miami, FL (Hard Rock Stadium)
- 2027: January 25 — Las Vegas, NV (Allegiant Stadium)
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff promises exciting matchups and intense competition, culminating in the National Championship in Miami Gardens. Fans and teams alike look forward to a thrilling season ahead.
