2026 College Football Championship: Date, Time, and Viewing Options
The 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship is shaping up to be a wild one. The 10th-seeded Miami Hurricanes are set to face off against the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers.
This much-hyped game is locked in for January 19 at 7:45 p.m. ET. It all goes down at the iconic Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Indiana, led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, is hungry for its first-ever national championship. Meanwhile, Miami is chasing its first title since 2001 with coach Mario Cristobal at the helm.
Honestly, fans couldn’t ask for a better matchup. Here’s what you’ll want to know before kickoff rolls around.
Contents
Game Details and Viewing Options
The 2026 CFP National Championship kicks off at 7:45 p.m. ET on Monday, January 19. You can catch the game on ESPN, through the ESPN App, or over at the NCAA football streaming hub.
If you’re the type who likes to get hyped early, *College GameDay* starts pregame coverage at 5 p.m. ET. That should set the mood for a night of high-stakes football.
Where to Watch
ESPN’s rolling out a bunch of options so fans can watch however they like:
- SkyCast (ESPNEWS): Get a high-up view from above and behind the offense on most plays.
- Command Center (ESPN Unlimited): Multi-angle setup with stats and four main feeds—main ESPN broadcast, SkyCam, and shots of each head coach.
- 4K UHD Presentation: For the second year running, the whole championship is available in crisp 4K on Comcast, DIRECTV, Dish Network, Optimum, Sling TV, Verizon, and YouTube TV.
- Hometown Radio (ESPN Unlimited): Listen in to your team’s local radio call, synced with the Command Center coverage.
- All-22 (ESPN Unlimited): Watch the game from way up high, just like coaches do when they break down film.
- High SkyCast (ESPN Unlimited): This one’s wild—it’s a bird’s-eye view from 357 feet up, right at the top of the Hard Rock Stadium spires, with live action and some pretty dramatic shots.
Teams and Key Players
The Miami Hurricanes, led by Mario Cristobal, know a thing or two about national championships. Cristobal himself won two titles as a player at Miami back in 1989 and 1991.
Now, he’s trying to guide the program to its first crown since 2001. Miami’s season has been something of a Cinderella run—crashing the party as a 10th seed and making it all the way to the big game.
Indiana Hoosiers
On the other side, you’ve got the Indiana Hoosiers and their star, Fernando Mendoza. He just took home the Heisman Trophy, which is no small feat.
This is Indiana’s first shot at a national championship, and you can feel the excitement. They’ve been the top seed all season, and honestly, they look tough to beat.
Special Championship Offerings
ESPN’s MegaCast is back to spice things up with a bunch of extra ways to watch. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re into stats, unique camera angles, or just want to hear your hometown radio guys call the action.
SkyCast and Command Center
SkyCast on ESPNEWS gives you that cool aerial view, floating above the field. Over on ESPN Unlimited, the Command Center lets you flip between angles, check out stats, and see what each head coach is up to.
4K UHD Presentation
And yes, you can watch the whole thing in 4K UHD again this year. If you’ve got Comcast, DIRECTV, Dish, Optimum, Sling, Verizon, or YouTube TV, you’re set for a super-sharp picture.
Hometown Radio and All-22
Hometown Radio on ESPN Unlimited is perfect if you want to hear your local crew’s take, synced right to the action. The All-22 view is for the real football nerds—see every player, every play, all at once, with ESPN Radio commentary layered in.
High SkyCast
That High SkyCast angle? It’s not for the faint of heart. The camera’s perched 357 feet up on the stadium spires, swooping in for live shots and some seriously epic views.
How to Access More College Football Content
Want to get lost in college football? ESPN’s got a surprisingly detailed hub with standings, stats, scores, schedules—the works.
If you’re the type who likes to keep tabs on everything, just hit up the ESPN college football hub page. It’s honestly the easiest way to stay up to date.
With the 2026 CFP National Championship creeping closer, you can feel the buzz. Miami Hurricanes or Indiana Hoosiers—who’s your pick?
Don’t forget to catch the game on ESPN. There are plenty of ways to watch, so you’ve got options.
