2026-27 College Football Playoff Schedule: Kickoff Times and TV Details
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has just dropped its schedule for the 2026-27 season. This will be the third year with the expanded 12-team format, and honestly, it’s about time fans got all the dates and TV info to start planning.
The new format means more teams get a shot and, hopefully, more wild finishes. Everything wraps up with the National Championship in Las Vegas, which sounds pretty epic. Here’s a closer look at the schedule, from the first-round madness to the big finale.
Contents
First-Round Games
The CFP kicks off with the first-round games in December 2026. These early matchups are where the chaos usually begins and will decide who makes it to the next round.
Friday, December 18, 2026
Things get started on Friday, December 18. There’s just one game that night, set for 8:00 PM ET, airing on ESPN. Not a bad way to start the playoffs.
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Saturday brings three more games to keep the momentum going:
- Noon ET: On ABC/ESPN
- 3:30 PM ET: Watch on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max
- 7:30 PM ET: Again on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max
Expect some drama here—these games decide who survives to see the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal Round Games
The quarterfinals are lined up for late December and early January. Four games, four teams moving on, and the tension’s only going to build.
Wednesday, December 30, 2026
First up is the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. That one’s at 7:30 PM ET, and you’ll find it on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.
Friday, January 1, 2027
New Year’s Day delivers three more quarterfinals:
- Noon ET: TNT, truTV, and HBO Max
- 4:00 PM ET: ABC and ESPN
- 8:00 PM ET: ESPN
These games will go down at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl in Arlington. Which game happens when? That’ll be sorted out on Selection Day, December 6.
Semifinal Round Games
January brings the semifinals, and this is where things get real. Two games, two tickets to the championship.
Thursday, January 14, 2027
The first semifinal is at the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff’s at 7:30 PM ET, with coverage on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Plenty of ways to tune in.
Friday, January 15, 2027
The next night, it’s the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Same kickoff time, 7:30 PM ET. This one’s on ABC and ESPN, so you probably won’t miss it unless you’re really trying.
National Championship Game
Finally, we get to the main event. The National Championship is set for Monday, January 25, 2027. It’s the showdown everyone’s been waiting for—just two teams left standing.
Monday, January 25, 2027
The big game goes down at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with kickoff at 7:30 PM ET. You’ll catch it on ABC and ESPN.
Whoever comes out on top gets to call themselves national champs. Not a bad way to end the season, right?
Conclusion
The 2026-27 College Football Playoff schedule is shaping up to be a wild ride. There are games scattered across different dates and cities, so fans have plenty to look forward to.
From those first-round matchups all the way to the National Championship game in Las Vegas, there’s no shortage of drama. It’s honestly hard not to get a little hyped about seeing top teams battle it out for the title.
If you want to dig into the details—like kickoff times or where to watch—check out the official announcement on FBSchedules.com.
