The 2025–2026 College Football Playoff bracket schedule is available here. The 12-team format is being used by the CFP for the second year.
The first round will take place on December 19–20, followed by the quarterfinals on December 31–January 1, the semifinals on January 8–9, and the CFP National Championship Game on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. The games are set from December 19, 2025, to January 19, 2026. See the schedule in its entirety below.
2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule, Dates, TV Channel, Sites
All times Eastern
- First round (Dec. 19-20) — on campus
- Friday, Dec. 19: One game
- Saturday, Dec. 20: Three games
- Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)
- Wednesday, Dec. 31: Cotton Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Orange Bowl | 12 p.m. | ESPN
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Rose Bowl | 4 p.m. | ESPN
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Sugar Bowl | 8 p.m. | ESPN
- Semifinals (Jan. 8-9)
- Thursday, Jan. 8: Fiesta Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Friday, Jan. 9: Peach Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
- CFP National Championship
- Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Here is the history of the College Football Playoff national championship game.
| Year (Game Date) |
Game | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | No. 4 Ohio State 42, No. 2 Oregon 20 | Arlington, Texas |
| 2016 | No. 2 Alabama 45, No. 1 Clemson 40 | Glendale, Arizona |
| 2017 | No. 2 Clemson 35, No. 1 Alabama 31 | Tampa, Florida |
| 2018 | No. 4 Alabama 26, No. 3 Georgia 23 | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2019 | No. 2 Clemson 44, No. 1 Alabama 16 | Santa Clara, California |
| 2020 | No. 1 LSU 42, No. 3 Clemson 25 | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| 2021 | No. 1 Alabama 52, No. 3 Ohio State 24 | Miami Gardens, Florida |
| 2022 | No. 3 Georgia 33, No. 1 Alabama 18 | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 2023 | No. 1 Georgia 65, No. 3 TCU 7 | Inglewood, California |
| 2024 | No. 1 Michigan 34, No. 2 Washington 13 | Houston, Texas |
| 2025 | No. 8 Ohio State 34, No. 7 Notre Dame 23 | Atlanta, Georgia |
Future CFP National Championship Game Locations
- 2026: Jan. 19 — Miami (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida)
- 2027: Jan. 25 — Las Vegas (Allegiant Stadium)
2024-25 College Football Playoff Scores, Results
- First round (Dec. 20-21)
- Friday, Dec. 20: No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17
- Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14
- Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31 (2OT)
- Rose Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21
- Sugar Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10
- Semifinals (Jan. 9-10)
- Orange Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 6 Penn State 24
- Cotton Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State 28, No. 5 Texas 14
- CFP National Championship
- No. 8 Ohio State 34, No. 7 Notre Dame 23 (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
Results and Scores for the 2023–24 College Football Playoffs
The 15-0 Michigan Wolverines won their first football national title since 1997 to cap off their flawless season, defeating one of college football’s most effective attacks. Michigan won the 2023–24 CFP National Championship Game 34–13 over Washington.
In the third quarter, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy showed off both his arm and legs by throwing for 140 yards and recording his longest carry of the season at 22 yards on a pivotal third-and-long. With a crucial interception in the third quarter, defensive back Will Johnson won defensive MVP. Wearing the same number as Johnson (No. 2), Blake Corum scored 134 rushing yards and was named Offensive MVP. He also set a school record with two more rushing touchdowns, bringing his career total to 58. During the trophy presentation, he declared, “Business is finished.”
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh won his first national championship with the Wolverines in his ninth season as head coach at his alma mater. With a 12-team playoff expansion for the 2024–25 season, the game marked the end of the four-team College Football Playoff’s ten-year run.
