2025-26 College Football Playoff: Bracket, Schedule, and Championship Outlook
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The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) is set to unfold with a new, expanded 12-team format, marking only the second year of this evolution in postseason college football. The matchups were officially announced on Sunday, December 7, promising a thrilling path to the national championship. Fans can even participate in the action with the College Football Bracket Challenge Game.
A New Era for College Football Postseason
This year’s playoff will span from December 19, 2025, to January 19, 2026, with a carefully structured schedule. The first round will take place on December 19-20, followed by the quarterfinals on December 31-January 1. The semifinals are slated for January 8-9, culminating in the CFP National Championship Game on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. A live scoreboard is available for fans to track the action.
Semifinal Showdowns
The semifinal matchups promise intense competition. On Thursday, January 8, No. 6 Ole Miss will face off against No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, held in Glendale, Arizona, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and WatchESPN. The following day, Friday, January 9, No. 1 Indiana will battle No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, also at 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN and WatchESPN.
Road to the Championship
The CFP National Championship Game, scheduled for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET, will also be broadcast on ESPN and WatchESPN from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The championship game represents the pinnacle of college football competition, and the expanded playoff format is designed to increase access and excitement for teams and fans alike.
A Look Back: CFP Championship History
The College Football Playoff has delivered several memorable championship games since its inception. Here’s a recap of past victors and locations:
| 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 Championship Destinations
Looking ahead, the CFP has already selected future championship game locations. Miami (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida) will host in 2026, and Las Vegas (Allegiant Stadium) is slated to host in 2027.
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff promises an exciting and expanded postseason experience, building on the legacy of thrilling championship games and setting the stage for a new era of competition.
