2025 College Football Playoff First-Round Schedule and Broadcast Details
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is gearing up for another season, and the kick times and broadcast info for the 2025 CFP First Round are finally out. With the second year of the 12-team Playoff format on the horizon, fans can expect a wild lineup of games split between ESPN and TNT Sports.
This year’s First Round should be packed with high-stakes action, setting the stage for the big showdown in the 2026 CFP National Championship.
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2025 CFP First Round: Kickoff Times and Broadcast Details
The 2025-26 12-team College Football Playoff starts with the first First Round game on Friday, December 19, at 8 p.m. ET. That one’s airing on both ABC and ESPN, so it’ll be hard to miss.
The action picks up again on Saturday, December 20, with a tripleheader that’s sure to keep football fans busy all day.
Saturday’s Tripleheader Lineup
Saturday kicks off at noon ET with the first game on ABC and ESPN. Then TNT handles the next two, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET.
All three Saturday games will also stream on HBO Max, so you’ve got options if the TV’s in use or you’re on the go.
- Friday, December 19, 8 p.m. ET – ABC & ESPN
- Saturday, December 20, Noon ET – ABC & ESPN
- Saturday, December 20, 3:30 p.m. ET – TNT, truTV & HBO Max
- Saturday, December 20, 7:30 p.m. ET – TNT, truTV & HBO Max
Selection Day and Campus Venues
The exact campuses hosting each of the four first-round games will be revealed on Selection Day, December 7. Fans are already speculating about which teams will get to play at home, which always adds a little extra buzz.
The higher-seeded teams host the lower-seeded ones, so you can bet the atmosphere will be electric—college football just does it differently.
Expanded Coverage and Viewership
Back in April, ESPN announced they’ll be handling all four Playoff Quarterfinals, both Semifinals, and the 2026 CFP National Championship. The championship game lands on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
That’s the first time Miami’s hosted the title game since 2021, and honestly, it’s a city that just feels right for big college football moments.
With ESPN and TNT Sports teaming up, games will be everywhere—on TV, the ESPN App, and HBO Max. Whether you’re on your couch or streaming from somewhere else, catching the action should be pretty easy this year.
Historic Viewership and Fan Engagement
Last season’s first-ever CFP First Round was a hit, pulling in an average of 10.6 million viewers across ESPN networks and TNT Sports. The Quarterfinals also saw their best numbers in years, proving the new Playoff format is catching on fast.
The CFP Semifinals set records too, with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic drawing 20.6 million viewers and the Capital One Orange Bowl hitting 17.8 million—its best in almost two decades.
2025 CFP National Championship
The 2025 CFP National Championship between Ohio State and Notre Dame was a monster, with 22.1 million tuning in. At its peak, 26.1 million people were watching, making it the most-watched non-NFL sports event all year.
Future Outlook and Collaboration
Rich Clark, the CFP’s executive director, says he’s thrilled about working with both ESPN and TNT Sports. He’s especially happy that the first-round games are landing in prime viewing windows.
There’s also some coordination with the NFL to keep both college and pro football fans happy. The new Playoff format is definitely making waves, and the excitement just keeps building as the 2025-26 season gets closer.
Stay Updated
For the latest scheduling details and full MegaCast info, fans should keep an eye on the official College Football Playoff website. That way, you won’t miss any updates and can actually plan to catch the action live.
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be something special. High-stakes games, legendary venues, and probably some record-breaking viewership—what more could you want?
It all leads up to the national championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Not a bad place to watch history, right?
