College Football Playoff Announces 2028-31 Quarterfinal and Semifinal Dates
The College Football Playoff (CFP) just dropped the official dates and bowl sites for the Quarterfinal and Semifinal games from the 2028 through 2031 seasons. It’s a pretty big deal for fans who love seeing the playoff rotate through different bowls, keeping things fresh and, honestly, a little unpredictable.
They’re sticking with the expanded 12-team bracket, which means conference champs and the highest-ranked teams get a shot. Notre Dame could sneak in too, if they crack the top 12. You never really know with them.
2028-29 College Football Playoff Schedule
The 2028-29 CFP schedule starts with the Quarterfinals on Saturday, December 30, 2028, at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Then, on Monday, January 1, 2029, three more bowls get their turn:
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
- Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
- Allstate Sugar Bowl
The Semifinals for that season are lined up for:
- 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
Jump to 2029-30, and the Quarterfinals land on Tuesday, January 1, 2030, at:
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
- Capital One Orange Bowl
- Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
Then, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl hosts a Quarterfinal on Wednesday, January 2, 2030. Semifinals are set for:
- 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, Quarterfinals start on Tuesday, December 31, 2030, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. On Wednesday, January 1, 2031, it’s time for:
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
- Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
- Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
The Semifinals drop on:
- 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
Wrapping up, the 2031-32 Quarterfinals kick off on Wednesday, December 31, 2031, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The next day, Thursday, January 1, 2032, games hit:
- Capital One Orange Bowl
- Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
- Allstate Sugar Bowl
Semifinals for this season are on:
- Thursday, January 8, 2032, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
- Friday, January 9, 2032, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Expanded 12-Team Bracket Format
The new 12-team setup includes:
- 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
If Notre Dame is in the top 12, they’re in. It’s a system that opens up the field quite a bit, which, honestly, is overdue.
Removal of Historic Bowl Tie-Ins
Starting in 2026, the CFP Management Committee is ditching the old bowl tie-ins. Now, the top three seeds get to pick their bowl path in order, which adds a whole new layer of strategy. Not everyone’s thrilled, but it’ll definitely shake things up.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, college football fans have a lot to be excited about. There are bound to be some wild matchups and those moments that stick with you, for better or worse.
The CFP’s decision to rotate bowl sites and expand the playoff format shows they’re serious about making the experience better for everyone. It’s a big move for both teams and fans.
Want the nitty-gritty details on the CFP Quarterfinal and Semifinal dates and bowl sites for the 2028-31 seasons? Check out the official announcement.
