2026-2027 College Football Playoff Schedule and Kickoff Times Announced
Here we go—dates and kickoff times for the 2026-2027 College Football Playoff (CFP) are finally out. This season is only the second year with the expanded playoff format, and honestly, that just means more chaos and fun.
Action starts Friday, December 18, 2026, and wraps up with the National Championship Game on Monday, January 25, 2027. The schedule is stacked with games that’ll decide who gets to call themselves the best in college football.
Contents
First Round: Setting the Stage for Epic Battles
The first round kicks off Friday, December 18, with a single game at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). Then, Saturday, December 19, brings three more matchups, scattered through the day:
- 11 a.m. CST: CFP First Round Game on ABC & ESPN
- 2:30 p.m. CST: CFP First Round Game on TNT, truTV, & HBO Max
- 6:30 p.m. CST: CFP First Round Game on TNT, truTV, & HBO Max
These games are happening at campus sites, so higher-seeded teams get to play at home. That home-field energy could make all the difference, right?
Quarterfinals: The Road to Glory Intensifies
Quarterfinals are set for Wednesday, December 30, and Friday, January 1. This round moves to neutral bowl sites, which always brings a different vibe:
Wednesday, December 30
- 6:30 p.m. CST: Quarterfinal – Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ on TNT, truTV, & HBO Max
Friday, January 1
- 11 a.m. CST: Quarterfinal (Bowl game TBD) on TNT, truTV, & HBO Max
- 3 p.m. CST: Quarterfinal (Bowl game TBD) on ABC & ESPN
- 7 p.m. CST: Quarterfinal (Bowl game TBD) on ESPN
Semifinals: The Final Four
Now we’re down to the final four. Semifinals are set for mid-January, and the stakes couldn’t be higher:
Thursday, January 14
- 6:30 p.m. CST: Semifinal – Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, FL on TNT, truTV, & HBO Max
Friday, January 15
- 6:30 p.m. CST: Semifinal – Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA on ABC & ESPN
Every play will matter here. No one wants to go home just short of the championship.
National Championship: The Ultimate Showdown
It all comes down to this. The National Championship Game is set for Monday, January 25, 2027:
- 6:30 p.m. CST: National Championship Game in Las Vegas, NV on ABC & ESPN
Las Vegas will host the showdown, and it’s bound to be a spectacle. Whoever makes it this far will have earned their shot at the ultimate prize.
Conclusion
The 2026-2027 College Football Playoff schedule is shaping up to be a wild ride, from the first round all the way to the National Championship Game. Games will air across a handful of networks—ESPN, ABC, TNT, truTV, and even HBO Max—so there’s really no excuse to miss out.
Fans are already buzzing. Teams are prepping for what could be a season to remember.
If you want the full schedule or need more details, check out the official announcement on WBRC.
