2026 College Football Playoff Championship: Miami vs Indiana Preview
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) season has been wild—just about everything you could hope for if you’re a college football fan. The expanded playoff format has brought more teams, more drama, and more late nights glued to the screen.
Now, with the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship game almost here, Miami and Indiana are set to face off. It’s a matchup nobody saw coming a few months ago, and honestly, that’s what makes it great.
Let’s dig into the highlights, the matchups, and what might be waiting for us in this year’s title game.
Contents
Overview of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff Season
The new CFP format is only in its second year, but it’s already shaking things up. Twelve teams fighting for the crown means upsets, buzzer-beaters, and a whole lot of unpredictability.
This year’s championship will be at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It’s a place with a ton of football history, sunshine, and some seriously good food if you know where to look.
Key Matchups Leading to the Championship
The road to the final has been packed with surprises. Here are a few of the games that really mattered:
- First Round: No. 8 Oklahoma lost to No. 9 Alabama, 24-34.
- Quarterfinals: No. 2 Ohio State got knocked out by No. 10 Miami in the Cotton Bowl, 14-24.
- Semifinals: Miami edged out No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, 31-27.
2026 College Football Playoff National Championship
The big game is set for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN’s got the exclusive rights, so that’s where everyone will be tuning in.
Hard Rock Stadium isn’t new to big events—it hosted the CFP title game in 2021 and six Super Bowls, including Super Bowl LIV in 2020.
Teams in Focus: Miami Hurricanes vs. Indiana Hoosiers
Miami and Indiana—two programs with plenty of history, but not much history against each other. They’ve played just twice, splitting the series 1-1. Their last meeting? All the way back in 1966.
- Miami Hurricanes: Miami’s run this season has been impressive, taking out heavyweights like Ohio State and Ole Miss. The secondary is a bit shaky, though—starting safety Damari Brown is “doubtful” for the big game.
- Indiana Hoosiers: Indiana’s been steady all year and are favored to grab their first national title. They opened as a 7.5-point favorite, but the line’s already moved to 8.5. The offensive line is a question mark, especially with Marcus Miller’s status still up in the air.
Game Day Experience and Weather Conditions
Weather for the championship looks pretty mild. Expect kickoff temps around 60°F, dipping toward 50°F as the night goes on.
That kind of weather? Pretty much perfect for football—no wild wind or rain to mess with the game plan.
Halftime Show and Performances
Halftime will stick to tradition, with both schools’ marching bands taking center stage. Jamal Roberts, who won American Idol Season 23, is set to sing *The Star-Spangled Banner* before kickoff.
Ticket Information and Revenue
Tickets go first to the participating schools right after the semifinals wrap up. Most fans, though, will end up grabbing seats on secondary sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, or Viagogo.
These platforms let you compare prices, sections, and delivery options—never hurts to shop around.
The championship game has pulled in $20 million in performance revenue for the finalists. Each team also gets $3 million per round to help cover travel and operations.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Right now, the Indiana Hoosiers are the favorites, according to OddsShark and Yahoo Sports. Here are the latest odds:
- Indiana Hoosiers: +700
- Miami-FL Hurricanes: +2000
Indiana’s favored by 8.5 points, but honestly, with the way this season’s gone, who knows? It all comes down to which team shows up and who makes the big plays when it counts.
Conclusion
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is shaping up to be a pretty big deal. Two powerhouse programs are about to collide, and honestly, it feels like something special is brewing.
With the expanded CFP format, we’re finally getting some real competition and higher stakes. Fans can expect more than just your typical game night—there’s a buzz in the air.
Miami Hurricanes and Indiana Hoosiers are gearing up for what could be an unforgettable showdown. The excitement is real, and you can almost feel the tension building.
If you want more details on the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship, check out Marca.
