College Football Playoff 2026-2027 Schedule: Rose Bowl Remains New Year’s Day Quarterfinal
The College Football Playoff (CFP) just dropped the schedule for the next two years’ quarterfinals and semifinals. The Rose Bowl’s not going anywhere—it’ll stick as a CFP quarterfinal for at least the next two seasons, and probably four more after that.
This iconic game is keeping its New Year’s Day spot, which feels right, doesn’t it? The CFP’s move makes sure the Rose Bowl stays front and center in college football’s postseason.
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The Rose Bowl: A New Year’s Day Tradition
The Rose Bowl, or as some like to call it, The Granddaddy of Them All, has been around since 1917. It usually features a West Coast team facing off against someone from the Midwest.
And let’s be honest, it’s hard to picture New Year’s Day without it. There’s just something about those sunset shots of the San Gabriel Mountains during the second half—it’s classic Pasadena.
Maintaining Tradition Amidst Change
College football keeps changing, but the Rose Bowl has fought to keep its usual date and time. With the CFP’s latest announcement, the Rose Bowl isn’t budging from its mid-afternoon Eastern Time kickoff on January 1.
This timing also lines up with the Tournament of Roses Parade, which happens earlier that day. Pasadena’s not about to give up its traditions without a fight.
Quarterfinals and Semifinals Schedule
For the 2026 season, the quarterfinals start Wednesday, December 30, at the Fiesta Bowl. Then, on January 1, there’s a tripleheader: Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Peach Bowl.
The Rose Bowl should land as the second game of the day, right in that sweet spot. Semifinals follow on January 14 and 15, 2027, at the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Future Plans and Adjustments
Looking a little further, the 2027 quarterfinals kick off December 31 at the Sugar Bowl. More games will follow on New Year’s Day at the Fiesta, Rose, and Peach Bowls.
Semifinals for that year are set for January 13 and 14, 2028, at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl. The national championship? That’s happening in Las Vegas on January 25, 2027, and in New Orleans on January 24, 2028.
Impact of the New Six-Year Agreement
The CFP’s new six-year deal with ESPN locks in the quarterfinals and semifinals at the usual bowl sites. This agreement, starting now, keeps the format steady through the 2027 season.
Some folks wanted to see quarterfinals played on campus, but, for now, that’s not happening. Maybe down the road, but not with this contract.
Preserving the Rose Bowl’s Legacy
The Rose Bowl’s organizers really pushed to keep their game on New Year’s Day—and they got it. The CFP agreed, so the Rose Bowl stays a key piece of the college football postseason puzzle.
Honestly, with all its history and pageantry, it’s still a must-watch for fans everywhere. Some things are just too good to change.
Conclusion
The Rose Bowl sticking around as a CFP quarterfinal on New Year’s Day really says something about its place in college football. It’s not just nostalgia; there’s something special about that game.
The CFP’s latest announcement locks in the Rose Bowl’s spot for at least the next six years. So, yeah, fans can count on those mid-afternoon kickoffs, those unreal mountain views, and the kind of matchups that actually get people talking.
If you want to dig into the full College Football Playoff schedule or see exactly where the Rose Bowl fits in, check out the full article on the New York Times website.
