College Football Playoff 2025 First-Round Schedule and TV Details
The College Football Playoff (CFP) just dropped the game times and TV info for the first round of the 2025-26 season. Four first-round games are set for campus sites on December 19 and 20.
Fans can expect a packed weekend, with games airing on ABC, ESPN, TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. After that, ESPN takes over for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the national championship.
Contents
First Round Schedule and Broadcast Information
The first round starts with a single game on Friday, December 19. Three more games follow on Saturday, December 20.
This schedule is meant to give fans a full weekend loaded with college football. If you ask me, it’s a pretty great way to spend a winter weekend.
Friday, December 19
The opening game kicks off at 7 p.m. Central Time. You can catch it on both ABC and ESPN.
That prime-time slot should pull in a big crowd, especially with playoff stakes on the line.
Saturday, December 20
Saturday’s a triple-header. Here’s the rundown:
- 11 a.m.: ABC and ESPN start the day off early for those who can’t wait.
- 2:30 p.m.: TNT, truTV, and HBO Max take over for the afternoon slot.
- 6:30 p.m.: TNT, truTV, and HBO Max are back for the last game of the round.
Quarterfinals and Beyond
Quarterfinals move to classic bowl sites: Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. All games will be on ESPN, so you won’t have to hunt around for channels.
Quarterfinal Schedule
- Cotton Bowl: December 26, 6:30 p.m. Central Time
- Orange Bowl: December 27, 11 a.m. Central Time
- Rose Bowl: December 27, 3 p.m. Central Time
- Sugar Bowl: December 27, 7 p.m. Central Time
Semifinals and National Championship
Semifinals land at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl, both on December 31 at 6:30 p.m. Central.
Winners head to Miami for the national championship on January 13, also at 6:30 p.m. Central. Miami in January? Not a bad reward.
Key Dates to Remember
There are a couple dates you might want to jot down:
- First College Football Playoff Top 25 Rankings: Tuesday, November 11 at 7 p.m. Central on ESPN
- Final Playoff Rankings and Selections: Sunday, December 7, after the conference championships
How to Watch
With games on so many networks, there’s no shortage of ways to tune in. ABC and ESPN have two first-round games, while TNT, truTV, and HBO Max pick up the other two.
For the rest—quarterfinals, semis, and the title game—ESPN’s got you covered.
Streaming Options
If you’re a streamer, HBO Max will carry some of the first round, along with TNT and truTV. ESPN’s streaming services will have the rest, so you can watch from just about anywhere.
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a wild ride. There’s a packed schedule ahead, and the broadcast coverage looks pretty solid.
Seriously, you might want to put some reminders in your phone for these games. Fans are in for some real nail-biters as teams go head-to-head for college football’s ultimate prize.
If you want all the nitty-gritty on game times and TV details, check out the official announcement on AL.com.
