BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Entering the second year under the 12-team format, the College Football Playoff how announced the dates, kick times, and broadcast information for the 2025-26 postseason.
New Year’s Eve wills see just one quarterfinal game with the Cotton Bowl kicking off at 6:30 p.m. CST. The other quarterfinals – Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl – will all be played on New Year’s Day beginning at 11 a.m. CST.
“This New Year’s Day schedule adjustment is the result of a thoughtful collaboration between the CFP, ESPN, the Capital One Orange Bowl, the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff. “All three bowls shifting their start times allows us to place each game in an ideal window on New Year’s Day and provide the optimal viewing experience. New Year’s Day and college football are synonymous with each other, and these changes only strengthen that relationship.”
The Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl will serve as this season’s semifinal games and will be played on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9, respectively. Both games kick off at 6:30 p.m.
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship from Miami will kick off on Monday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. CST.
As has been the case since the CFP first began in 2014, ESPN will remain the home for the College Football Playoff with all of this season’s games broadcasting there.
| DATE | TIME (CST) | GAME | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., Dec. 31 | 6:30 p.m. | CFP Quarterfinal Cotton Bowl |
ESPN |
| Thurs., Jan. 1 | 11 a.m. | CFP Quarterfinal Orange Bowl |
ESPN |
| Thurs., Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | CFP Quarterfinal Rose Bowl Game |
ESPN |
| Thurs., Jan. 1 | 7 p.m. | CFP Quarterfinal | ESPN |
| Thurs., Jan. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | CFP Semifinal Fiesta Bowl |
ESPN |
| Fri., Jan. 9 | 6:30 p.m. | CFP Semifinal Peach Bowl |
ESPN |
| Mon., Jan. 19 | 6:30 p.m. | CFP National Championship Game | ESPN |
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