College Football Playoff Announces 2026-2027 Schedule Changes and Key Dates
The College Football Playoff (CFP) just rolled out the dates and bowl assignments for its quarterfinal and semifinal games for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. There are some pretty big changes this time, including a decision to skip a playoff game on New Year’s Eve during the 2026-27 postseason.
Why? Well, they’re looking to dodge direct competition with the NFL’s Thursday night lineup. Seems smart enough. So, what does this mean for fans and teams?
Contents
2026-27 Season Schedule
The CFP has mapped out the 2026-27 season with a focus on fan experience and keeping things fair for everyone. Here’s how the schedule shakes out:
Quarterfinals
Quarterfinals start up on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2026, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Then, it’s a New Year’s Day tripleheader on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, with games at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential.
Semifinals
The semifinals for that season will be:
- January 14, 2027, at the Capital One Orange Bowl
- January 15, 2027, at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
No playoff game lands on New Year’s Eve this time. That’s on purpose—nobody wants to go head-to-head with the NFL’s Thursday night games.
2027-28 Season Schedule
For the 2027-28 season, the CFP swings back to its tradition of a New Year’s Eve game. Here’s what’s on tap:
Quarterfinals
Quarterfinals will include a game on Dec. 31, 2027, at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. After that, another New Year’s Day tripleheader follows on Jan. 1, 2028, featuring the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential.
Semifinals
The semifinals for 2027-28 are set for:
- January 13, 2028, at the Capital One Orange Bowl
- January 14, 2028, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Impact on Fans and Teams
The changes are supposed to make things better for fans and help the expanded playoff format work smoothly. CFP executive director Rich Clark said, *These dates allow us to maintain competitive balance, maximize the fan experience, and provide consistency for everyone involved in the Playoff.*
Skipping New Year’s Eve games in 2026-27 is a bit of a shift. In the past twelve seasons, there’s been a CFP game on New Year’s Eve six times. By moving things around, the CFP is clearly hoping to keep college football in the spotlight and not lose viewers to the NFL.
Looking Ahead: Future Announcements
We’ve got the dates and bowl assignments for 2026 and 2027 now, but game times and TV networks are still up in the air. Those details should drop later this year.
As for the rest of the seasons from 2028 through 2031? Those dates and bowl assignments are coming in a future announcement. The CFP’s still tweaking and adjusting, trying to keep everyone happy—fans, teams, and, honestly, the sport itself.
Conclusion
The CFP just dropped the 2026 and 2027 playoff dates, and it’s honestly a shakeup. They’re steering clear of New Year’s Eve games in 2026-27, which feels like a relief for a lot of us.
Quarterfinals and semifinals are getting a new spot on the calendar, too. The idea? Keep things fair and, hopefully, make the whole thing more fun to watch.
More details—like exact game times and TV channels—are still under wraps. We’ll have to wait and see what else changes.
If you want to dive in deeper, check out the full article here.
