2026-27 College Football Playoff Schedule Announced: Key Dates and Broadcast Info
The 2026-27 College Football Playoff (CFP) season is shaping up to be something special. There are 11 games on the slate, starting December 18, 2026, and wrapping up with the national championship on January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The CFP, along with ESPN and TNT Sports, rolled out this year’s schedule. Fans can expect more ways to watch, with a wider mix of broadcasting and streaming options than ever before.
Games will be played at some pretty legendary venues. And with different networks sharing coverage, it feels like college football is getting a bit of a facelift this year.
Contents
Expanded Broadcast and Streaming Options
Fans are in for a treat with the broadcast setup. ESPN is still the main home for the Playoff, but five games are moving over to TNT Sports, and you’ll be able to stream those on HBO Max too. That means you can catch the action on:
- ESPN and the ESPN App
- TNT and truTV
- HBO Max
Honestly, it’s never been easier to tune in, no matter how or where you like to watch.
First-Round Games at Campus Sites
The first round kicks things off at campus sites. Here’s how the schedule shakes out:
- Friday, Dec. 18 – One first-round game at 8 p.m. (ESPN)
- Saturday, Dec. 19 – Three first-round games at noon (ABC, ESPN), 3:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
We’ll find out which campuses are hosting on December 6. That’s when things start to feel real, right?
Quarterfinals Spread Across Iconic Venues
Once the first round’s done, the quarterfinals move to some of the sport’s most iconic stadiums:
- Wednesday, Dec. 30 – Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona at 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
- Friday, Jan. 1 – Three quarterfinals at noon (TNT, truTV, HBO Max), 4 p.m. (ABC, ESPN), and 8 p.m. (ESPN)
The Peach Bowl in Atlanta, the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena will all host games on January 1. We’ll get the matchups on December 6, so mark your calendar if you’re the planning type.
Semifinals and Championship Game
After a two-week pause, it’s semifinal time. These games land at two of the most storied bowls out there:
- Thursday, Jan. 14 – Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida at 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
- Friday, Jan. 15 – Sugar Bowl in New Orleans at 7:30 p.m. (ABC, ESPN)
Whoever survives those will battle for the ultimate prize.
National Championship in Las Vegas
The last stop? Las Vegas.
The 2026-27 College Football Playoff National Championship kicks off Monday, January 25, at Allegiant Stadium. It’s set for 7:30 p.m., airing on both ABC and ESPN.
Vegas hosting the title game feels like a big deal. The stadium’s flashy, new, and honestly, it should make for a wild atmosphere. Fans and players are in for a night they’ll remember.
Conclusion
The 2026-27 College Football Playoff season looks like it’s going to be a big one. The schedule’s expanded, there are more ways to watch, and honestly, the venues? Pretty legendary.
First-round games kick off December 18. The national championship wraps it all up on January 25, and that’s a long stretch of football for fans to soak in.
If you want to dig into the nitty-gritty details about dates or where to catch the games, check out the National Football Post. There’s a lot to look forward to, and honestly, it’s hard not to get a little excited.
