The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) is set to deliver exciting matchups, culminating in the national championship. The semifinals are scheduled for January 8 and January 9, 2026, featuring top-ranked teams facing off for a chance at the title.
2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule
The playoff bracket is structured to ensure that the top four seeded teams receive byes into the quarterfinals. This year’s playoff schedule includes:
- First Round: December 19-20, 2025
- Quarterfinals: December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026
- Semifinals: January 8, 2026 (No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami) and January 9, 2026 (No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 6 Oregon)
- National Championship: January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Top Teams in the Playoff Rankings
The final CFP top 25 rankings were released on December 7, showcasing the most competitive teams this season. The rankings include:
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | 13-0 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 12-1 |
| 3 | Georgia | 12-1 |
| 4 | Texas Tech | 12-1 |
| 5 | Oregon | 11-1 |
| 6 | Ole Miss | 11-1 |
| 7 | Texas A&M | 11-1 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 10-2 |
| 9 | Miami (Fla.) | 10-2 |
| 10 | Notre Dame | 10-2 |
Playoff Structure and Advancement
The CFP structure allows for a dynamic tournament format. The four quarterfinal games will not be held at campus venues. Instead, the games will take place at traditional bowl locations, including the:
- Cotton Bowl
- Orange Bowl
- Rose Bowl
- Sugar Bowl
The semifinal victors will advance to the national championship, where they will compete for the title on January 19, 2026, in Miami.
