2025 College Football Playoff Schedule: Dates, Times, and Locations Revealed
The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) is shaping up to be a wild ride, especially with its expanded 12-team format. Fans and teams are buzzing about the extra opportunities to chase the national title this year.
This new structure, rolled out just last season, has already made waves. More teams have a shot, and honestly, it’s made things a lot more interesting down the stretch.
The first CFP rankings are dropping soon, which always stirs up debates and speculation. The final selection is set for December 7, so there’s not much time left for teams to make their case.
Let’s get into the schedule, game times, and where you can catch all the action for this year’s playoffs.
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2025 College Football Playoff Schedule Overview
The 2025 CFP schedule is loaded with matchups that could go either way. With the 12-team bracket, even teams that stumbled early aren’t out of the running.
The competition is fierce, and it’s honestly hard to predict how things will shake out. Every week feels like it matters more than ever.
Key Dates and Broadcast Information
Playoff games start on December 19 and run through January 19, wrapping up with the national championship. ESPN has the main broadcast rights for nine out of eleven games, so expect plenty of coverage.
Here’s how the schedule looks right now:
- Friday, Dec. 19: 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
- Saturday, Dec. 20: Noon (ABC/ESPN), 4 p.m. (TNT, truTV & HBO Max), 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV & HBO Max)
- Wednesday, Dec. 31: Cotton Bowl (Arlington, Texas) — 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Orange Bowl (Miami) — Noon (ESPN), Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California) — 4 p.m. (ESPN), Sugar Bowl (New Orleans) — 8 p.m. (ESPN)
- Thursday, Jan. 8: Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Arizona) — 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Friday, Jan. 9: Peach Bowl (Atlanta) — 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Monday, Jan. 19: National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) — 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
New Format and Its Implications
Moving from four to twelve teams has really changed the game. Teams know a couple of losses might not end their season, which feels like a breath of fresh air.
It’s also changed how coaches manage their rosters and schedule games. There’s just more to think about now.
Home-Field Advantage in the First Round
One of the coolest tweaks: higher-seeded teams (No. 5-8) get to host first-round games on their own campuses. That’s a big deal for players and fans—home-field energy can be electric.
It’s a real reward for a strong regular season and honestly, those early games should be wild.
Neutral Sites for Quarterfinals and Beyond
After the first round, things shift to the big neutral New Year’s Six bowl sites. Everyone’s on even ground at that point.
The top four seeds get a bye straight into the quarterfinals, which gives them a nice edge.
Broadcasting and Viewing Options
ESPN is handling most of the games, so you won’t have to hunt too hard to find them. Two first-round games will also be on ABC, and TNT Sports is picking up a couple as well.
It’s a pretty solid spread, so fans should have no trouble tuning in from home.
Streaming and Additional Platforms
If you’re into streaming, games will also be on HBO Max and truTV. That’s handy for folks who don’t want to be tied to a cable box.
Honestly, it’s nice to see so many ways to watch. The CFP is doing its best to make sure nobody misses out on the action.
Looking Ahead to the National Championship
The journey to the national championship wraps up on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. That’s when the champion of the 2025 college football season will finally be decided.
Fans and teams are buzzing with anticipation for this grand finale. It’s bound to be packed with wild moments and—who knows—maybe a few surprises that’ll stick with us for years.
For more details on the 2025 College Football Playoff schedule, game times, and TV channels, check out the official CBS Sports article.
