2025 College Football Playoff First Round Schedule and TV Channels
The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) season is really heating up as we head into the First Round games this weekend. This year brings the second run of the new 12-team playoff format, and honestly, fans are buzzing about the matchups that’ll decide who gets to the Quarterfinals.
The top four seeds get to kick back with a bye, so the spotlight’s on the eight teams fighting for a chance to move forward. Here’s a breakdown of the games coming up, some key players you might want to keep an eye on, and where you can actually watch everything unfold.
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First Round Matchups: A Weekend of Excitement
The First Round of the 2025 College Football Playoff starts with four games that a lot of people have circled on their calendars. Each one’s happening right on the campus of the higher-seeded team, which is bound to crank up the energy and give a bit of a home-field edge.
Let’s dig into the details for each matchup. Honestly, it’s tough to pick just one to watch.
No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide
Things get rolling on Friday, December 19, as the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners host the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Both teams are coming off strong seasons, so this one could go either way.
ABC’s got the broadcast, and it’ll be simulcast on ESPN at 8:00pm ET. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe, and Laura Rutledge are on commentary—should be a good crew.
No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies vs. No. 10 Miami Hurricanes
Saturday kicks off at noon ET with the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies taking on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. This one’s also on ABC and ESPN, so you won’t have to hunt for the channel.
Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath, and Taylor McGregor will be calling the game. Expect plenty of analysis and maybe a few surprises.
No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. No. 11 Tulane Green Wave
Later in the afternoon, the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels host the No. 11 Tulane Green Wave in a rematch that’s got a lot of people talking. It’s happening at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, with kickoff set for 3:30pm ET.
You can catch it on TNT, TBS, and truTV, or stream on HBO Max. Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, Katie George, and Quint Kessenich will handle the broadcast duties.
No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 12 James Madison Dukes
The First Round wraps up with the No. 5 Oregon Ducks facing the No. 12 James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. This one’s part of a TNT doubleheader, starting at 7:30pm ET, and also airs on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max.
Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick, Kris Budden, and Stormy Buonantony are set for commentary. Should be a lively crowd in Eugene.
Quarterfinals: The Road to Glory
The First Round winners move on to the Quarterfinals, where they’ll get a shot at one of the top four seeds. Here’s what’s next on the schedule:
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes take on the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 7:30pm ET. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas hosts, and it’ll be on ESPN.
- Capital One Orange Bowl: The No. 5 Oregon Ducks face the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at noon ET. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, is the venue, and ESPN will air it.
- Rose Bowl Game: The No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide battle the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 4pm ET. Pasadena’s iconic Rose Bowl Stadium hosts, with ESPN handling the broadcast.
- Allstate Sugar Bowl: The No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels clash with the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 8pm ET. Caesars Superdome in New Orleans is the spot, and it’s on ESPN.
Semifinals: The Final Four
The CFP Semifinals are up next, with the Quarterfinal winners fighting for a shot at the National Championship. Here’s when those games go down:
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
The first Semifinal is Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 7:30pm ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. ESPN’s got it, with either Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath, and a TBD reporter, or Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe, and a TBD reporter on the call.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
The second Semifinal happens Friday, January 9, 2026, at 7:30pm ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. You’ll catch the action on ESPN with the same commentator teams as the Fiesta Bowl.
National Championship: The Ultimate Showdown
The 2025 College Football Playoff season wraps up with the CFP National Championship game. It’s set for Monday, January 19, 2026, kicking off at 7:30pm ET.
This year, the big game lands at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. You’ll catch it live on ESPN.
The broadcast team will feature Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe, and Molly McGrath. That’s a solid lineup for any football fan.
Schedules change, so it’s smart to keep an eye out for updates as the date gets closer. If you want the full rundown of the 2025 College Football Playoff games, including TV and streaming options, check out the official schedule page.
The nation’s top teams will battle it out for the title of National Champion. Whether you’re loyal to a team or just in it for the drama, this playoff is shaping up to be one for the books.
