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College Football Playoff: 2025-26 Schedule and Championship History

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The College Football Playoff (CFP) for the 2025-26 season will utilize its expanded 12-team format for the second consecutive year. The official bracket and corresponding matchups were publicly announced on Sunday, December 7. The tournament's schedule is set to run from December 19, 2025, through January 19, 2026.

2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule

  • First Round: December 19-20, 2025
  • Quarterfinals: December 31, 2025 - January 1, 2026
  • Semifinals: January 8-9, 2026
  • CFP National Championship Game: Monday, January 19, 2026

Semifinal Matchups (January 8-9, 2026)

  • Thursday, January 8:
    • No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami (Florida)
    • Location: Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Arizona
    • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
    • Broadcast: ESPN, WatchESPN
  • Friday, January 9:
    • No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon
    • Location: Peach Bowl, Atlanta, Georgia
    • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
    • Broadcast: ESPN, WatchESPN

College Football Playoff National Championship Game

The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game is scheduled for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The event will be hosted at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with broadcast coverage provided by ESPN and WatchESPN.

History of College Football Playoff National Champions

Year Champion Score Runner-up Score Location 2015 Ohio State (No. 4) 42 Oregon (No. 2) 20 Arlington, Texas 2016 Alabama (No. 2) 45 Clemson (No. 1) 40 Glendale, Arizona 2017 Clemson (No. 2) 35 Alabama (No. 1) 31 Tampa, Florida 2018 Alabama (No. 4) 26 Georgia (No. 3) 23 Atlanta, Georgia 2019 Clemson (No. 2) 44 Alabama (No. 1) 16 Santa Clara, California 2020 LSU (No. 1) 42 Clemson (No. 3) 25 New Orleans, Louisiana 2021 Alabama (No. 1) 52 Ohio State (No. 3) 24 Miami Gardens, Florida 2022 Georgia (No. 3) 33 Alabama (No. 1) 18 Indianapolis, Indiana 2023 Georgia (No. 1) 65 TCU (No. 3) 7 Inglewood, California 2024 Michigan (No. 1) 34 Washington (No. 2) 13 Houston, Texas 2025 Ohio State (No. 8) 34 Notre Dame (No. 7) 23 Atlanta, Georgia

Future CFP National Championship Game Locations

  • 2026: January 19 — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
  • 2027: January 25 — Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada