2026-27 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal and Semifinal Dates Announced
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has dropped the official dates and bowl assignments for the CFP Quarterfinal and Semifinal games for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
For fans, athletes, and the folks in host cities, this is the kind of update that gets the blood pumping. The CFP’s still the heart of college football, delivering wild matchups and plenty of drama.
So, what exactly is on the horizon for these next couple of seasons? Let’s take a look.
Contents
2026-27 CFP Quarterfinals and Semifinals
The 2026-27 CFP season is shaping up to be something special, with Quarterfinals and Semifinals hosted by some of the sport’s most legendary bowl games.
CFP Quarterfinals
Here’s how the Quarterfinals line up for 2026-27:
- Wednesday, December 30, 2026: Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
- Friday, January 1, 2027: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
These games are sure to be battles, with teams fighting for a shot at the Semifinals.
CFP Semifinals
The Semifinals are set for:
- Thursday, January 14, 2027: Capital One Orange Bowl
- Friday, January 15, 2027: Allstate Sugar Bowl
Whoever comes out on top here will move on to the College Football Playoff National Championship. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
2027-28 CFP Quarterfinals and Semifinals
Looking ahead, the 2027-28 CFP season is packed with more big games and plenty of potential for upsets.
CFP Quarterfinals
Here’s the Quarterfinal schedule for 2027-28:
- Friday, December 31, 2027: Allstate Sugar Bowl
- Saturday, January 1, 2028: Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
As always, these matchups will decide who gets to keep their title dreams alive.
CFP Semifinals
Mark your calendars for these Semifinal games:
- Thursday, January 13, 2028: Capital One Orange Bowl
- Friday, January 14, 2028: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
The winners here will punch their ticket to the championship game. It’s going to be intense.
Consistency and Competitive Balance
Rich Clark, Executive Director of the CFP, pointed out how important it is to keep things fair, fun, and consistent for everyone in the Playoff.
He also gave a shoutout to the bowl partners and their communities for stepping up, embracing the changes, and helping the expanded playoff format succeed.
Future Announcements
More details—like game times and TV networks for the 2026 and 2027 CFP games—are coming later this year.
There’ll also be updates about dates and bowl assignments for the 2028-31 seasons down the road. If you want the latest, keep an eye on the College Football Playoff website.
About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the big stage where the national champion is crowned.
It starts with four Playoff First-Round games on host campuses, then moves to Quarterfinals and Semifinals that rotate among six major bowl games:
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
- Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
- Capital One Orange Bowl
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
- Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
- Allstate Sugar Bowl
The College Football Playoff National Championship for the 2026-27 season is set for Monday, January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This is the game everyone wants to be in—a true showdown for the best teams in the country. Can’t really ask for more if you love college football.
Conclusion
The CFP Quarterfinal and Semifinal dates are finally set for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. That means we’re in for two years packed with high-stakes college football.
Fans can expect some wild matchups and probably a few surprises along the way. Who knows which teams will rise to the occasion and snag the national title?
This whole thing keeps evolving, and honestly, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement. From student-athletes to the communities hosting these games, there’s a lot on the line and a lot to look forward to.
Want more info or updates? Check out the official CFP website.
