2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule: Dates, Times, TV, Live Streams

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) season is shaping up to be quite an adventure for fans and teams. With Ohio State chasing back-to-back national championships, the pressure is on.

The Buckeyes snagged the 2024-25 title by defeating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame. Even though they skip the first round this year, the competition looks fierce.

This playoff rolls out a 12-team bracket, so expect wild matchups and moments people won’t forget anytime soon. Let’s get into the schedule, TV info, streaming options, and the games you’ll probably want to circle on your calendar.

2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule

The CFP kicks off with the first round on December 19. Everything wraps up with the national championship on January 19.

Coverage is everywhere—plenty of ways to keep up, so missing a play isn’t really an excuse.

First Round Matchups

The first round brought some real energy:

• No. 9 Alabama 34, No. 8 Oklahoma 24
• No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 10, No. 7 Texas A&M 3
• No. 6 Ole Miss 41, No. 11 Tulane 10
• No. 5 Oregon 51, No. 12 James Madison 34

Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals? Pure drama. A couple of results probably left folks shaking their heads:

• CFP Quarterfinal (Cotton Bowl): No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 24, No. 2 Ohio State 14
• CFP Quarterfinal (Orange Bowl): No. 5 Oregon 23, No. 4 Texas Tech 0
• CFP Quarterfinal (Rose Bowl): No. 1 Indiana 38, No. 9 Alabama 3
• CFP Quarterfinal (Sugar Bowl): No. 6 Ole Miss 39, No. 3 Georgia 34

Semifinals

The semifinals kept the intensity high. Both games set up a championship that’s got everyone talking:

• CFP Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl): No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 31, No. 6 Ole Miss 27
• CFP Semifinal (Peach Bowl): No. 1 Indiana 56, No. 5 Oregon 22

National Championship Game

It’s down to No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami (Fla.). They’ll face off for the title on January 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

You can catch the game on ESPN, the ESPN app, or streaming services like Fubo. Should be a wild one.

TV Channels and Live Streaming Options

If you’re sticking with cable, games are on ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Prefer streaming?

• ESPN app
• Fubo
• DIRECTV

These platforms let you watch live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and college sports. You’ll also get ESPN shows like SportsCenter and First Take.

Historical Context and Previous Champions

The College Football Playoff has given us some legendary games and champions over the years. Here’s a quick look at the last decade’s winners:

• 2015: Ohio State 42, Oregon 20 (AT&T Stadium)
• 2016: Alabama 45, Clemson 40 (State Farm Stadium)
• 2017: Clemson 35, Alabama 31 (Raymond James Stadium)
• 2018: Alabama 26, Georgia 23 (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
• 2019: Clemson 44, Alabama 16 (Levi’s Stadium)
• 2020: LSU 42, Clemson 25 (Caesars Superdome)
• 2021: Alabama 52, Ohio State 24 (Hard Rock Stadium)
• 2022: Georgia 33, Alabama 18 (Lucas Oil Stadium)
• 2023: Georgia 65, TCU 7 (SoFi Stadium)
• 2024: Michigan 34, Washington 13 (NRG Stadium)
• 2025: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23 (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

How to Stay Updated

Want to keep up with the latest CFP schedule, scores, and news? Follow along with our live coverage and check out this detailed guide.

Keep an eye on weekly Top 25 polls and expert betting tips—they might make your viewing experience a bit more interesting.

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be something special. There’s a buzz in the air already, and you can almost feel the anticipation building.

Whether you’re glued to every game or just tune in for the big matchups, this season’s going to have something for everyone. There are plenty of ways to stay in the loop—streaming, highlights, you name it.