2026-27 College Football Playoff Broadcast Schedule Revealed

The 2026-27 College Football Playoff (CFP) schedule is out, and honestly, it’s shaking things up for fans everywhere. ESPN and TNT Sports are splitting the broadcasting rights, so there’s going to be plenty of coverage to go around.

This season kicks off ESPN’s bigger package, with five games going over to TNT Sports. The playoff action starts with a primetime CFP First Round game and ends with the National Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Let’s take a look at what’s coming up on the CFP schedule and maybe, just maybe, what your team’s chances are.

First Round Action: A New Beginning

The first round gets underway with a primetime matchup on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 pm CT on ESPN. The excitement doesn’t stop there—first-round games keep rolling on Saturday, Dec. 19.

ABC and ESPN will handle the early game, kicking off a tripleheader at 11 am CT. TNT jumps in at 2:30 pm CT and again at 6:30 pm CT.

And yeah, everything on ESPN networks will be streaming on the ESPN App, so you’re covered if you’re on the go or just can’t find the remote.

Streaming Options

If you’re more into streaming than flipping channels, you’re in luck. The first-round games on TNT and truTV will also be on HBO Max.

Honestly, it’s nice to have options, whether you’re loyal to cable or just want to stream from your couch—or phone.

Quarterfinals: The Road to Glory

The CFP Quarterfinals are locked in for Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Friday, Jan. 1. ESPN and TNT Sports are splitting the games between them.

Quarterfinals will light up some big-name bowls: the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, and Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential.

ESPN’s got games on Friday, Jan. 1, at 3 pm CT (ABC & ESPN) and 7 pm CT (ESPN). TNT Sports takes over on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 6:30 pm CT and again on Friday, Jan. 1, at 11 am CT.

Texas’ Performance in Recent Playoffs

Texas, under coach Steve Sarkisian, has been making some noise lately. They’ve landed in two of the last three playoffs and even hosted their first on-campus playoff game in the debut season of the 12-team format.

That run saw them beat Clemson 38-24 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Dec. 21, 2024, and then take down Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, before getting stopped by Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

Semifinals: The Ultimate Showdown

The semifinals are shaping up to be a blast. TNT Sports will air its first-ever CFP Semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 14, thanks to the ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) deal.

This game lands at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Then, the Allstate Sugar Bowl hosts ESPN’s semifinal on ABC (also on ESPN) on Friday, Jan. 15.

Texas’ Journey in the Semifinals

Last time Texas made it to the Sugar Bowl in the 2023-24 CFP, they lost to Washington in what turned out to be the last year of the four-team playoff.

With the jump to a 12-team field, there’s a bit of hope in the air for Longhorns fans this season.

National Championship: The Grand Finale

The big one—the 2027 CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T—wraps up the season on Monday, Jan. 25, 2027. ESPN networks, including ABC, will air the game live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Feels like a fitting spot for college football’s biggest night, doesn’t it?

Texas Softball’s Recruitment Efforts

Football usually hogs the spotlight, but Texas softball is quietly making some noise with its recruitment moves. The Longhorns have their sights set on Arizona State’s senior catcher, Samantha Swan, who just wrapped up a pretty impressive visit to Austin.

Texas pitched Swan on the chance to help the team chase a third straight national championship. She’s got the opportunity to play alongside stars like pitcher Teagan Kavan, center fielder Kayden Henry, and Katie Stewart—the 2026 SEC Player of the Year.

Swan’s arrival would matter a lot, especially now that catcher Reese Atwood’s out of eligibility. Her numbers are hard to ignore: a .383 batting average, 12 home runs, and 55 RBI in 2026. That’s the kind of impact Texas could use.

If Swan decides to sign, there’s even talk that Florida State’s Isa Torres—D1Softball’s 2026 Player of the Year—might be swayed to join the Longhorns too.

For more info on the 2026-27 College Football Playoff broadcast schedule and Texas’ recruiting, check out the full article on 247Sports.