2028-31 College Football Playoff Dates and Bowl Sites Announced
The College Football Playoff (CFP) just rolled out the official dates and bowl assignments for the Quarterfinal and Semifinal games from 2028 through 2031. It’s a big deal for fans and teams who want to plan ahead—or just circle some dates and start dreaming.
With the CFP always tweaking and rotating hosts, there’s a lot of moving parts. Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of, but that’s part of what keeps things spicy. Let’s jump into the details for the upcoming seasons and see which bowls get the spotlight.
2028-29 College Football Playoff Schedule
The 2028-29 season is shaping up to be a fun one. Quarterfinals kick things off and, honestly, that’s where the madness really begins.
CFP Quarterfinals
First up: Saturday, December 30, 2028, at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Then, after a quick breather, we’re back on Monday, January 1, 2029, with three more:
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
- Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
- Allstate Sugar Bowl
CFP Semifinals
Semifinals come fast after that. Two games, two nights:
- Thursday, January 11, 2029 at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
- Friday, January 12, 2029 at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
2029-30 College Football Playoff Schedule
Looking toward 2029-30, the CFP keeps the action spread across some legendary venues. No complaints here.
CFP Quarterfinals
Quarterfinals land on:
- Tuesday, January 1, 2030, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
- Wednesday, January 2, 2030, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
CFP Semifinals
Next up, Semifinals:
- Thursday, January 10, 2030, at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
- Friday, January 11, 2030, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
2030-31 College Football Playoff Schedule
For 2030-31, bowl games keep rotating. Keeps things interesting, right?
CFP Quarterfinals
Here’s what’s on tap for the Quarterfinals:
- Tuesday, December 31, 2030, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
- Wednesday, January 1, 2031, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
CFP Semifinals
Semifinal games are lined up for:
- Thursday, January 9, 2031, at the Capital One Orange Bowl
- Friday, January 10, 2031, at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
2031-32 College Football Playoff Schedule
Last but not least, the 2031-32 season brings even more big-time matchups.
CFP Quarterfinals
The Quarterfinals are set for:
- Wednesday, December 31, 2031, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
- Thursday, January 1, 2032, at the Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl
CFP Semifinals
Semifinals follow on:
- Thursday, January 8, 2032, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
- Friday, January 9, 2032, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
2026-27 and 2027-28 College Football Playoff Schedule Review
The CFP had already shared the schedules for 2026-27 and 2027-28. That’s when the expanded 12-team format really started to take shape.
2026-27 Season
Quarterfinals for 2026-27 go down on:
- Wednesday, December 30, 2026, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
- Friday, January 1, 2027, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
Semifinals are up next:
- Thursday, January 14, 2027, at the Capital One Orange Bowl
- Friday, January 15, 2027, at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
2027-28 Season
Quarterfinals for 2027-28 take place on:
- Friday, December 31, 2027, at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
- Saturday, January 1, 2028, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
Semifinals are scheduled for:
- Thursday, January 13, 2028, at the Capital One Orange Bowl
- Friday, January 14, 2028, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Understanding the 12-Team Bracket Format
The CFP’s 12-team bracket really shakes things up. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Conference champs from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC
- The highest-ranked team from the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and Sun Belt
- The next seven highest-ranked teams, regardless of conference
Notre Dame? If they’re in the top 12, they’re in. That’s one way to keep things open and make sure the best teams get a shot, even if they’re not tied to a big league.
Implications for Teams and Fans
The rotating bowl assignments and expanded playoff format mean teams and fans get a new playoff vibe every year. No more historic bowl tie-ins—now there’s a more flexible, competitive way to pick who plays where.
The top three seeds actually get to pick their bowl path in order, which adds a bit of strategy to the mix. That’s a twist I didn’t see coming, honestly.
For more details on the College Football Playoff schedules and format, check out the official CFP announcement.
